Forest Fire Breaks Out in Morocco’s Taounate Amid Heatwave

Forest Fire Breaks Out in Morocco’s Taounate Amid Heatwave
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A forest fire broke out Monday in the Taounate region of northern Morocco amid soaring temperatures, media reports said. The blaze affected areas in Douar Al-Ghararsa and agricultural fields in Douar Beni Qara, with no casualties reported.

Authorities from the Moroccan Water and Forests Agency, local volunteers, police, and gendarmerie worked together to contain the fire. The agency had earlier warned residents in northern and eastern provinces of a high risk of wildfires from Sunday through Wednesday due to a heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 46°C.

In 2024, Morocco recorded 382 forest fires destroying around 874 hectares, an 82% decrease compared to 2023. Forests cover roughly 12% of the country’s land, with fire frequency influenced by climatic conditions and human activity.