Authorities contain Chefchaouen wildfire amid challenging conditions

Friday 15 August 2025 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Authorities contain Chefchaouen wildfire amid challenging conditions

Firefighting teams have successfully contained a wildfire that erupted on Tuesday in Derdara Forest, located in the province of Chefchaouen. The operation, which mobilized nearly 450 personnel, faced harsh weather conditions, including high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity.

Coordinated response to protect lives and resources

Youssef Zarroqi, Provincial Director of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), confirmed the containment on Thursday. He noted that efforts will continue in the coming days to fully extinguish the fire and secure the area.

From the initial report of the blaze, provincial authorities, the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the Royal Gendarmerie, Civil Protection teams, Water and Forests personnel, and Auxiliary Forces worked together to control the flames. Aerial support from Canadair planes and Turbo Thrush aircraft played a crucial role in the operation.

Extreme weather, including winds exceeding 40 km/h and the dense forest cover, posed significant challenges to the response teams. Despite these obstacles, three of the four main fire fronts were contained by Tuesday evening, with 80% of the fire under control by Wednesday. Full containment was achieved on Thursday.

Rising wildfire risks in Morocco

Zarroqi emphasized the priority of protecting lives, property, and the forest ecosystem. He also urged residents and visitors to exercise caution, particularly as high summer temperatures and increased tourist activity elevate fire risks in the region.

The Derdara Forest fire highlights the growing threat of wildfires across Morocco, driven by rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and human negligence. Authorities are intensifying awareness campaigns to encourage preventive measures and vigilance to avoid similar incidents.

Wildfires not only threaten Morocco’s rich biodiversity but also endanger local communities and livelihoods. The ANEF and other agencies are working to mitigate these risks through enhanced coordination and resource deployment.