Rabat – The Center for Water and Forestry (ANEF) has identified an extreme risk (red level) of forest fires in several Moroccan provinces, and high (orange level) and medium (yellow level) risks for other regions.
Among the provinces with an extreme risk are Tangier-Asilah, Chefchaouen, Taza, Sefrou, Ifrane, Khenifra, Oujda-Angad, and Taroudant.
In its daily bulletin, the agency also reported a high risk in the provinces of Fahs-Anjra, Tetouan, Larache, Taounate, Al Hoceima, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Tiznit, Al Haouz, and Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane.
Ouezzane, Berkane, and Essaouira all have a medium risk of wildfires on the other hand.
ANEF has invited residents, summer visitors, and those working in the forest to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to avoid forest fires.
The agency also urged them to quickly alert local authorities in the event of smoke sightings or suspicious behavior.
In order to anticipate forest fires in Morocco, ANEF uses scientific prediction models to produce daily maps that attempt to spot at-risk areas throughout the country. The models use data on forest types, combustibility levels, and climate changes.
Several areas in Morocco have been especially prone to wildfires in recent years, particularly the Northern provinces during hotter periods of the year.
Earlier this year, Morocco increased its efforts to combat wildfires, committing MAD 200 million (about $22 million) for forest fire prevention and management.
The ANEF had divided the funding into a number of operational and preventive actions, such as the creation of water stations, the opening and restoration of forest trails, the establishment of vigil posts, the deployment of fire lookouts, and the acquisition of first aid vehicles.
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