At least four fires that were raging across forests in the north of the country were put out late on Thursday by hundreds of Moroccan firefighters and soldiers, according to officials.
However, over 500 families were evacuated “as a precaution” in the provinces of Larache and Taza, according to official announcements. The fires, which were sparked by strong winds in the four districts, have not yet claimed any lives.
Military planes dropped supplies of water to put out fires raging across the arid countryside over many communities that had to be evacuated, an AFP correspondent reported.
According to Fouad Assali, director of the National Center for Forest Climate Risk Management, the fires ravaged forest territory that was difficult to access in four provinces: Larache, Ouezzane, Tetouan, and Taza.
The official MAP news agency cited Assali as adding, “Efforts are underway in the goal of getting these fires under control.”
Initial reports state that since Wednesday night, at least 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of forest have burned near Larache and Ouezzane, leaving scorched trees smoldering against a sky covered in smoke.
The country of North Africa, which is suffering from severe droughts, has recently been slammed by temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
“This type of fire is brought on by heat. Our town was affected by the fire yesterday at daybreak “Larache resident Ahmed Mezouar, 58, told AFP that he was optimistic that firemen would be able to put it out.
He was still concerned, however, as the flames had engulfed the entire nearby village.
He said, “We’re worried about our properties. “We are safe for the time being.”
Wildfires are also blazing throughout southern Europe over the Strait of Gibraltar, from Portugal and Spain to France and Greece.
According to scientists, climate change is a factor in extreme weather phenomena like heatwaves and droughts, which increase the likelihood of wildfires.
Future forecasts predict that they will increase in frequency, duration, and intensity.
