Authorities contain wildfire near Taroudant as firefighters work toward full control

Local authorities have announced that the wildfire that broke out in the Slimimt forest in the commune of Ouneine, near the border between Taroudant and Al Haouz provinces, has been contained after five days of firefighting operations.

Emergency crews are now working to achieve full control of the blaze as calmer winds have improved conditions on the ground.

Ismail Ben Omar, the regional director of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Taroudant, said the situation at the Ouneine fire site had stabilized on the fifth day since the outbreak began.

“There are currently no flames or active fire fronts in the area, which reflects the progress made in the intervention efforts,” Ben Omar told Hespress.

According to the official, firefighters are now dealing mainly with smoldering embers and the remains of tree trunks that continue to emit smoke.

He said field teams are carrying out final extinguishing operations to eliminate the remaining hot spots and prevent the fire from reigniting.

Ben Omar noted that the region continues to experience high temperatures. However, calmer winds have given firefighters and rescue teams greater room to operate, reducing the dense smoke that had previously hampered efforts and complicated working conditions.

The fire can now be considered “contained” from a technical standpoint, he said, although authorities have not yet declared it fully under control.

Officials remain cautious because smoke is still rising from some tree trunks and branches, posing a risk if strong winds return and spread the fire to surrounding areas.

Ben Omar praised what he described as the full mobilization of all parties involved in the operation, including personnel from the National Agency for Water and Forests, the Civil Protection service, auxiliary forces, local authorities and residents.

He stressed that emergency teams will remain stationed at the site until the wildfire has been completely extinguished.