Firefighting teams in northern Morocco are continuing their efforts for a third straight day to extinguish a wildfire that broke out in the Houara forest, located near the city of Tangier.
Two specialized Canadair firefighting aircraft have been deployed to assist ground crews, as strong sharqi winds and rising temperatures complicate containment efforts.
According to a government source who spoke to Hespress on Wednesday morning but requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak to the press, emergency teams have been working around the clock to control the blaze. The source acknowledged that weather conditions, including intense winds and high heat, are significantly hampering their progress.
As of Wednesday morning, the fire has consumed approximately 60 hectares of forest land along the coastal strip near the national road linking Tangier and Asilah. This marks a sharp increase from the estimated 30 hectares reported on Tuesday evening, underscoring how quickly the flames are spreading under current weather conditions.
Local residents from nearby villages said they saw thick columns of smoke rising from the forest, which lies about four kilometers from their homes. Witnesses also reported frequent aerial water drops by the Canadair planes in ongoing efforts to douse the flames.
The Houara blaze is the first major forest fire reported this year in northern Morocco, raising early concerns about a potentially severe wildfire season. The area has experienced temperatures exceeding 30°C this week, creating ripe conditions for fire outbreaks.
Fear has spread among villagers living near the forest, particularly along the coastal zone between Tangier and Asilah, as the flames continue to move southward and eastward. Many are reminded of the devastating fires that swept through the region in the summer of 2022, especially in Larache province, where extensive damage was reported.
Northern Morocco, known for its rich and diverse forest cover, is consistently ranked among the country’s most fire-prone regions. In recent years, rising temperatures and the intensifying effects of climate change have significantly increased wildfire risks, leading to the annual loss of hundreds of hectares of forestland.
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