Rabat – A colossal wildfire erupted on Saturday in the pristine Maghraoua Forest in the Taza province, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The wildfire, which has already devoured approximately 300 hectares of forest cover, prompted the evacuation of dozens of families in the Taza Province, as local authorities and firefighting teams scramble to contain the blaze.
With the Maghraoua forest ablaze, authorities evacuated nearly 60 families residing in the Tamrgout and Ait Ismail neighborhoods. The preemptive evacuations aimed at safeguarding residents against the advancing inferno that had ignited on Friday evening.
The fire posed a menacing threat to homes situated close to the forest’s edge. Local media reports indicate that families found refuge in nearby social institutions, including the central student dormitory and the community school.
Transportation to these shelters was facilitated through school buses and other available vehicles.
Despite the efforts of the firefighting team, suppressing the fire has proven to be a formidable challenge, reports maintain.
The combination of high temperatures, wind, and rugged terrain exacerbated the fire and made it difficult for the firefighters to reach the forest.
In addition to firefighters, personnel from the Royal Gendarmerie, auxiliary forces, local residents, and even members of the Royal Armed Forces joined efforts to put down the fire.
Two specialized Canadair firefighting aircraft were also deployed to conduct a total of 10 sorties over the fire-stricken region.
The situation remains critical, as the fire persists in various pockets despite the onset of night.
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