Morocco recorded 310 forest fires between Jan. 1 and July 20, destroying more than 1,850 hectares nationwide, according to the National Agency of Water and Forests (ANEF).
Although the number of fires increased by nearly 32% compared with the 10-year average for the same period, the total area burned declined by about 30%, falling from an average of 2,660 hectares to 1,850 hectares.
In a statement issued Monday, ANEF said the fires affected an average of 5.9 hectares each. Forests accounted for 45% of the burned area, while shrubland and herbaceous vegetation made up the remaining 55%.
The agency attributed the rise in fire outbreaks to abundant winter rainfall, which encouraged dense vegetation growth, followed by heat waves in late May and early July that dried out the vegetation and increased its susceptibility to fires.
Despite the increase in the number of incidents, ANEF said the reduction in the total area burned reflects the effectiveness of Morocco’s wildfire prevention and response system, which brings together the Ministry of Interior, Civil Protection, the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Royal Air Force, auxiliary forces, local authorities and the agency itself.
According to ANEF, rapid detection and intervention enabled authorities to contain most fires before they spread over large areas.
The Souss-Massa region recorded the largest burned area, with nearly 600 hectares affected, followed by Beni Mellal-Khenifra with 410 hectares and Marrakech-Safi with 205 hectares.
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra registered the highest number of fires, with 80 incidents, ahead of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, which recorded 70 fires.
ANEF also compared Morocco’s wildfire figures with those of other Mediterranean countries, citing data from the European Forest Fire Information System.
Spain has recorded the largest burned area so far this year, with more than 104,476 hectares destroyed, followed by France with 42,178 hectares, Portugal with 29,224 hectares and Italy with 20,291 hectares.
With August and September — traditionally the most dangerous months for wildfires — approaching, the agency urged campers, beekeepers and other forest users to avoid activities that could spark fires and to report any wildfire or suspicious behavior to the authorities.
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