Rabat – A wildfire has ravaged around 25 hectares in the forest of Mount Tamssit in Morocco’s northcentral city of Beni Mellal, 191 km from Marrakech.
The fire, which broke out on Sunday at around 5:20 p.m., has fortunately not caused any injuries or fatalities, according to local authorities.
Authorities noted that the fire likely broke out due to the extreme heatwave in the province of Beni Mellal, emphasizing that the intervention crew made every effort to keep the nearby population safe.
In response to the blaze, members of the country’s Civil Protection, Auxiliary Forces, Water and forest services, and Royal Gendarmerie were mobilized and managed to contain the fire.
Authorities have also opened an investigation to determine the causes behind the fire.
Morocco has continuously experienced heatwaves over the past weeks, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius and causing wildfires eruptions in several cities, including Tetouan, Ouazzane, Larache, and Taza.
On July 22, the Moroccan government announced a MAD 290 million ($28.3 million) plan to tackle and mitigate the impact of recent fires on agricultural activity and forests.
The plan notably seeks to provide support to the affected local populations, while restoring some 9330 hectares and strengthening the means to prevent further fire outbreaks across Morocco.
The agreement also aims to create around 1,000 job opportunities in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region, allowing the affected people and their family members to work in the “Awrach” program sites.
Read Also: Morocco Faces Wildfires Again This Year Amid Scorching Heatwaves
