Flames ravage approximately 8 hectares in Aoufous, south of Morocco

Morocco’s eastern region oases continue to face the persistent problem of fires, the latest devastating episode of which took place on Wednesday in the Ksar Ait Amira area of Aoufous, in the province of Errachidia.

Faced with this situation, environmental activists in the Drâa-Tafilalet region have reiterated their long-standing demands for the installation of wells and access roads in the heart of the oases, to enable fires to be put out quickly at any time and guarantee prompt intervention.

Every summer, the inhabitants of oasis communities dread the outbreak of fires, which jeopardize safety and undermine economic, social and cultural foundations, contributing to the rise in environmental migration following what can only be described as a “climate catastrophe”.

The most vulnerable oases are estimated to be those of Aoufous and Tinejdad in Errachidia, the Mezquita oasis in Zagora, and the Skoura oasis in Ouarzazate.

Said Oudijah, a committed player in the southeastern region, testified that the recent fire in Aoufous ravaged an area of 8 hectares and unfortunately wiped out almost 300 palm trees, while 400 others were partially damaged.

He explained that the intensity of these fires stems from the absence of access roads and paths inside the oases of the Drâa-Tafilalet region, making intervention operations arduous in the face of the lightning speed at which flames spread through the dried-out soil, creating conditions similar to those of gasoline.

In a statement to Hespress, Oudijah stressed the importance of raising awareness among residents and farmers to help preserve the oases and their ecosystems.

He also highlighted the consequences of groundwater depletion on oases, particularly for small farmers, pointing out that agricultural activity is no longer sufficient to sustain the regional economic cycle.

Fires and other manifestations of climate change, such as drought, undermine the livelihoods, security and stability of oasis residents, he stressed.

Oudijah called for priority to be given to protecting oases, guaranteeing water supplies to keep palm trees green and cope with drought, a palpable threat to the very survival of oases.

He stressed the need for regular maintenance of oases to prevent disasters, especially in view of the worsening and increasing scale of climatic disturbances worldwide, a factor that has substantially contributed to the rise in environmental migration. Consequently, the authorities are obliged to continually propose alternative solutions for these populations.

Mohammed El-Hajj, deputy mayor of Aoufous, asserted that although efforts are underway to preserve the oases, the factors underlying the fires raging in these areas are often unpredictable or even indiscernible.

He explained that drought, water scarcity and the presence of dry, dead plant matter can lead to fires, as happened at the Ksar Ait Amira oasis in Aoufous. The relevant authorities are working tirelessly to extinguish the incendiary foci of the trees and neutralize them to prevent any risk of further conflagration, he said.

In a statement to Hespress, El-Hajj underlined the persistent threat to oases, urging both governmental and non-governmental bodies to join forces to stem the tide of this menace to the population.

He pointed out that the losses caused by the fires appeared to be substantial, noting that other, albeit less severe, fires had also broken out, underlining the imperative of upgrading oases and stimulating their renewal, since for many people in oasis communities, in places such as Ziz, Drâa and Ghriss, dates are vital as a source of livelihood.

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture, Sea Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests has undertaken several projects to clean up the oases, targeting in particular areas affected by recurrent fires each year.

Nevertheless, these efforts remain insufficient and need to be intensified, with a more proactive and effective focus on fire-fighting. He concluded by saying that every day without a fire represents a real gain, as it is clear that this situation is not the norm.

The oases of south-eastern Morocco have recently suffered numerous fires of varying severity, despite initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture to set up water points in several oases and raise awareness of fire prevention. In addition, irrigation pipes have been provided free of charge to farmers affected by these disasters.