Rising temperatures across several regions of Morocco have heightened concerns over the risk of forest and agricultural fires, prompting authorities and environmental experts to call for increased vigilance as the country enters the summer season.
The National Agency for Water and Forests recently issued a nationwide wildfire risk alert, urging residents, visitors and workers in forested areas to exercise caution, particularly in regions classified as facing extreme or high fire danger.
The agency said its risk maps were developed using scientific data, including vegetation characteristics, flammability levels, weather forecasts and local topography.
Several provinces, including Kenitra, Khemisset, Rabat, Salé and Skhirate-Temara, were classified under the highest risk category. Other northern and central regions were placed under high or moderate alert levels.
Environmental expert Mustapha El Aissat said international organizations, including the United Nations, have warned that climate conditions associated with El Niño could contribute to above-average temperatures this year.
According to El Aissat, abundant rainfall earlier in the season encouraged the growth of grasses and seasonal vegetation that may now serve as highly combustible fuel as temperatures rise. He added that increased visitor traffic to forests and natural areas during the summer months could further elevate fire risks, particularly when combined with negligent behavior such as discarding cigarette butts or leaving glass bottles in exposed areas.
He noted that Morocco has strengthened its wildfire response capabilities in recent years through the deployment of water-bombing aircraft, satellite-based monitoring systems, drone surveillance and early warning centers in fire-prone regions.
Environmental specialist Abdelrahim Hindouf said temperatures recorded in recent weeks have been significantly above seasonal averages, reflecting the growing impact of climate change across Morocco and the wider Mediterranean region.
Hindouf warned that prolonged heat increases the likelihood of fires in forests and cereal-growing areas and stressed that many incidents are linked not only to weather conditions but also to human activity.
Both experts emphasized that prevention remains the most effective strategy, calling for broader public awareness campaigns and closer coordination among government agencies, local authorities and civil society groups.
They also warned that wildfires can cause severe environmental and economic damage, threatening biodiversity, agricultural production and rural livelihoods. The destruction of even a single hectare of forest, they said, can result in the loss of plant life and wildlife while undermining ecosystems that support local communities.
Authorities have urged the public to immediately report any signs of smoke or suspicious activity near forested areas and to strictly follow fire-prevention guidelines during periods of extreme heat.
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