A series of fires recently struck the northern provinces of Morocco, causing the destruction of over 110 hectares of vegetation cover between Tangier, Tetouan, and Larache. Due to a combination of an unusual heatwave and chergui gusts, the fires spread rapidly in areas often difficult to access, making firefighting operations particularly challenging.
In Houara, on the outskirts of Tangier, the flames consumed 85 hectares of forest, affecting iconic species such as cork oaks and junipers. In Tetouan, the municipality of Aïn Lahcen saw nearly 20 hectares of pine trees go up in smoke in Wadras, with nearby homes threatened. In Larache, two fires were also reported, one near the sanctuary of Moulay Abdessalam, which was brought under control in time thanks to the rapid intervention of emergency services.
More than 500 agents – firefighters, Water and Forests, Auxiliary Forces, and Royal Gendarmerie – were mobilized, supported by bulldozers, water tankers, ambulances, and four Canadair planes from the Royal Air Forces. The latter conducted several rotations, particularly in steep areas, to contain the most virulent fires.
Vigilance remains essential, as extreme weather conditions signal a high-risk summer for the Kingdom’s forested areas.
