As temperatures rise and summer approaches, Morocco is stepping up efforts to prevent and combat wildfires by releasing an updated national fire risk map, part of a broader strategy to mitigate the growing threat of forest blazes.
The National Agency for Water and Forests told Hespress Ar that Morocco’s fire forecast maps are continuously updated throughout the year using advanced data analytics.
These systems assess variables such as wind speed, terrain, vegetation types, climate conditions, and wildfire history spanning the last 25 years.
A new version of the risk map is expected by June 21, coinciding with the official start of summer. The map will provide a color-coded classification of regions by fire risk: green for low, yellow for moderate, orange for high, and red for extreme danger.
Last year’s data identified several high-risk zones, including Tangier-Asilah, Al Hoceima, Taza, Khénifra, Taounate, Essaouira, and Berkane.
In preparation for the season, authorities have allocated 160 million dirhams (about $16 million USD) toward wildfire prevention. The funding will support the purchase of equipment, development of early warning systems, and deployment of patrols to monitor vulnerable forested areas.
A large fire in the Houara forest near Tangier earlier this year served as an early warning of a potentially hazardous season. Experts warn that a combination of rising temperatures, dry winds, dense vegetation from a rainy spring, and human negligence — including discarded glass and flammable waste — could make this summer particularly volatile.
To confront these risks, Morocco is deploying aerial firefighting units, drones, and precision mapping tools to track and respond to fires in real-time. Officials emphasize that rapid and well-coordinated responses will be crucial to minimizing damage.
However, prevention remains the cornerstone of the country’s strategy. Experts advocate for stronger public awareness campaigns, warning signage in forested zones, and close coordination between emergency responders, local authorities, and the media.
As climate change continues to heighten the intensity and frequency of wildfires, Moroccan authorities hope that proactive planning and modern technology will help protect both people and ecosystems from increasingly destructive fire seasons.
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