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Rabat – A large fire broke out in the Mouklala forest, located in the mountains of Tetouan, early Monday morning.
Said Benjira, the regional director of water, forests, and combating desertification in Tetouan, told SNRTnews that the fire started shortly after 2 a.m. Firefighters acted quickly once notified and managed to control the blaze within a few hours, he added.
The fire coincided with rainfall in the area, which helped put it out faster. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire.
In recent years, Morocco has seen a significant drop in the number and size of forest fires. In 2024, only about 650 hectares of land burned, according to Statista. This is a huge improvement compared to 2022, when 22,500 hectares were destroyed by fires.
The National Water and Forest Agency (ANEF) reports that there were 40 percent fewer fires in 2024 compared to 2022, which recorded 375 fires. In 2023, there were 350 fires, meaning 2024 also saw 30 percent fewer fires than the previous year.
Over the past decade, Morocco has averaged around 310 forest fires per year. The 2024 numbers are 15 percent lower than this average.
Most of the land burned in 2024 was woodlands, about 430 hectares, with the remaining 220 hectares being grass and shrubs.
This change comes after authorities raised awareness about the risk of fires, and swift action, especially during dry and hot summers.
The efforts made a big difference in reducing wildfires.
