Casablanca – A forest fire in Morocco’s Larache province damaged 98 hectares of forest cover before authorities brought it under control yesterday, after three days of firefighting.
The fire broke out on Tuesday in Taoula forest, within the Zaaroura commune. Strong winds and difficult terrain hampered efforts to contain the flames, allowing the fire to spread across the mountainous area.
Mohamed El Hakam, the provincial director of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Larache, told SNRT News that sustained firefighting efforts helped bring the blaze under control, with Canadair aircraft playing a key role in the operation.
Strong winds and difficult terrain complicated the response over the three days, allowing the flames to spread and making it harder for firefighters to extinguish the fire.
The final assessment found that the fire damaged 98 hectares of forest cover, El Hakam said.
The area had been classified as being at risk of forest fires in warnings issued by the National Agency for Water and Forests, given the temperatures recorded in the region.
Firefighting operations involved ground teams from Civil Protection and forestry services, supported by aerial interventions from Canadair aircraft. Earlier reports also said that three aircraft from the Royal Air Force had taken part in the operation, carrying out more than seven sorties on the first day.
More than 500 personnel were reportedly mobilized on the ground as the operation continued, with teams working to contain the flames in the difficult terrain.
Although authorities brought the fire under control, Civil Protection and forestry personnel remained at the site yesterday to prevent the flames from reigniting.
Teams will remain in the area until they confirm that all remaining hotspots have been extinguished and that the smoke has disappeared, El Hakam said.
