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Rabat – A wildfire erupted Thursday in the Bouhachem forest in Chefchaouen province, prompting an urgent response from the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) and local civil protection teams.
Youssef Zerrouki, the regional director of ANEF, told SNRTNews that crews on the ground, supported by an aerial fleet, face a race against time to bring the flames under control near the Dardara commune.
The current operation involves two Canadair planes and over 200 personnel from ANEF and Civil Protection.
Local authorities coordinate efforts with residents, who have actively joined the fight to protect their forests and homes.
Zerrouki warned that the situation remains serious and urged vigilance, noting the combination of challenging terrain and dry conditions heightens the risk of further spread.
Only a week ago, a wildfire consumed about 500 hectares of forest in the area, taking four days to bring under control.
Authorities in Chefchaouen province remain vigilant after days of confronting a massive fire that devastated woodlands in Dardara and Bab Taza.
While the main blaze has been contained, new fires have emerged in other parts of the province’s forests.
Amid consecutive heat waves, ANEF issued a special warning for elevated fire risks between August 17 and 20.
The agency called on residents, forest workers, and visitors to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing that even a small lapse could trigger a catastrophe.
Citizens are urged to report any signs of smoke or suspicious activity to authorities without delay.
