Efforts intensify to combat forest fire near Tetouan with Canadair support
In a statement to the media, Fouad Al Assali, director of the National Center for Climate Risk Management, confirmed that operations are being stepped up to control the fire and prevent it from reaching residential zones.
These coordinated efforts come amid heightened vigilance. This summer, the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has issued repeated warnings about the growing risk of wildfires in forested areas, particularly through the use of predictive mapping.
Between July 15 and 18, high-risk zones were identified based on vegetation type, topography, and weather conditions.
Since the beginning of the year, ANEF has recorded 111 wildfire incidents—fewer than the ten-year annual average of 130 outbreaks.
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Ya Biladi
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- Ya Biladi
Efforts intensify to combat forest fire near Tetouan with Canadair support
Since Saturday, efforts have intensified to contain a forest fire that broke out in the commune of Mellaliyine, located between Tetouan and Fnideq. Four Canadair planes from the Royal Gendarmerie have been deployed, along with specialized ground teams. Significant resources have been mobilized, as weather conditions have worsened the scale of the blaze, which has rapidly spread across a wide area. In a statement to the media, Fouad Al Assali, director of the National Center for Climate Risk Management, confirmed that operations are being stepped up to control the fire and prevent it from reaching residential zones. These coordinated efforts come amid heightened vigilance. This summer, the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has issued repeated warnings about the growing risk of wildfires in forested areas, particularly through the use of predictive mapping. Between July 15 and 18, high-risk zones were identified based on vegetation type, topography, and weather conditions. Since the beginning of the year, ANEF has recorded 111 wildfire incidents—fewer than the ten-year annual average of 130 outbreaks.
Ya Biladi
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Fire in Ait Isha du Sud forest controlled by Royal Air Force Canadairs
The fire that broke out on Saturday in the Ait Isha du Sud forest in the Tillouguite commune (Azilal) has been brought under control following the intervention of two Canadair aircraft from the Royal Air Force, which helped contain the blaze. According to the provincial directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) in Azilal, efforts to combat lingering smoke are ongoing, thanks to the strong commitment of ANEF teams working in coordination with local authorities, civil protection, the Royal Gendarmerie, auxiliary forces, and the local population. The forest fire, which destroyed 13 hectares of mainly Aleppo pine forest, was triggered by a lightning strike, the provincial ANEF directorate confirmed. Ground operations were complicated by rugged, rocky terrain, high temperatures, rockfalls, and sudden shifts in wind direction, which temporarily forced teams to suspend their efforts. Due to the complexity of the situation, the provincial directorate requested aerial support. Two Canadair aircraft were deployed from Lake Bin El Ouidane, making seven water drops that helped contain the fire's spread and allowed ground teams to secure the area. Recently, ANEF identified an extreme fire risk (red level) in the provinces of Tanger-Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, Chefchaouen, Taza, Taounate, Al Hoceïma, Kénitra, Béni Mellal, Azilal, Skhirate-Témara, Salé, Rabat, and Khémisset. This assessment was based on forest composition, combustibility, flammability, as well as topographic and climatic conditions. ANEF also detected a high fire risk (orange level) in the provinces of M'Diq-Fnideq, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra, Sefrou, Khénifra, Ifrane, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Taourirt, Oujda-Angad, Nador, Berkane, and Driouch, along with a medium risk (yellow level) in Sidi Slimane, Meknès, Essaouira, Benslimane, and Taroudant.
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20-06-2025
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ANEF: Morocco Contains 8 Forest Fires Burning 20 Hectares in Last 24h
Marrakech – All forest fires registered across Morocco in the past 24 hours have been successfully contained, the National Water and Forest Agency (ANEF) announced Friday. The eight fires, including six in forest domains and two outside forest areas, affected approximately 20 hectares of land. The largest fire occurred in Tetouan province, burning 15 hectares of forest land. Authorities have contained the blaze, with operations to extinguish remaining hot spots still ongoing. Other affected areas include Khenifra (3.5 hectares), Chefchaouen (1.1 hectares), Khemisset (0.095 hectares), Casablanca (0.02 hectares), and Midelt (10 square meters), where a fire was naturally triggered by lightning. Additional fire outbreaks were reported outside forest domains in Taza and Sidi Slimane provinces. From January 1 to June 20, Morocco has recorded 111 forest fires, a figure below the ten-year average of 130 incidents. The total burned area stands at 130 hectares, representing just one-fourth of the average for the past decade. The successful containment comes despite ANEF's warning issued last Sunday. Based on scientific prediction models, the agency had identified high to extreme risk levels for forest fires between June 16 and 20 across several provinces. These include Azilal, Beni Mellal, Chefchaouen, Kenitra, Khemisset, Larache, Tanger-Assilah, Tetouan, M'diq-Fnideq, Taounate, Taza, Nador, Al Hoceima, and Ouezzane. ANEF is urging citizens to maintain maximum vigilance, particularly in high-risk forest zones. The agency stressed that people should not light fires in natural environments, avoid discarding cigarette butts or flammable waste, and immediately report any smoke or suspicious behavior to local authorities, forest agents, or civil protection services. The positive outcomes this year build on Morocco's impressive forest fire management record in 2024, when the country achieved an 86% reduction in burned areas compared to 2023. Last year, only 874 hectares were affected by 382 forest fires, making Morocco the Mediterranean country with the lowest burned area despite extreme weather conditions. For the 2025 season, ANEF has allocated MAD 160 million ($16 million) for prevention, surveillance, and firefighting efforts, with 90% dedicated to preventive measures. The agency continues implementing its 2023-2033 Intersectoral Master Plan to improve integrated fire risk management. Tags: ANEFforest fire in Moroccowildfire in Morocco
