Morocco's national system for combating wildfires has received a significant boost with the deployment of an aerial fleet comprising eight "Canadair" aircraft, 15 "Turbo Thrush" planes, and two "Super Puma" helicopters belonging to the Royal Gendarmerie. This initiative is part of a proactive strategy aimed at minimizing fire risks while safeguarding forest cover, human lives, and property.
The intervention plan categorizes wildfires into four distinct levels, whereby ground teams address limited fire outbreaks. Aircraft are engaged starting from the second level, with the potential involvement of aerial units from the Royal Gendarmerie in more complex situations, and even international assistance if necessary.
The "Canadair" aircraft are particularly noteworthy for their ability to collect over 6,000 liters of water from the sea, dams, or lakes in approximately 12 seconds, allowing for rapid response times during emergencies. Meanwhile, the "Super Puma" helicopters and "Turbo Thrush" planes provide additional support due to their versatility and capacity to operate for extended hours.
Air force officials emphasized that the success of firefighting operations is closely linked to the constant readiness of the air and technical crews, swift response times, and ongoing coordination with various stakeholders and local authorities to ensure effective intervention at fire hotspots.
Regarding maintenance, officials noted that heavy maintenance operations for the "Canadair" aircraft are now fully conducted by Moroccan professionals, which contributes to reducing aircraft downtime and enhancing the national fleet's readiness and technical independence.
These efforts are complemented by a field network consisting of over 2,800 observers and forest guards distributed across various regions of the country, tasked with monitoring and early warning. This is alongside ground intervention teams and civil protection equipment, all operating within a unified system aimed at containing fires and curbing their spread.
As reported by assahifa.com.
