Morocco Authorities Urge Vigilance Against Forest Fires
In a significant announcement, Moroccan authorities have issued a warning to residents living near forested areas in five regions, urging them to remain vigilant and cautious from Tuesday through Friday. This advisory comes in light of heightened concerns regarding the potential outbreak of forest fires, as stated by the Moroccan Agency for Water and Forests, a governmental body. The agency categorized the risk level as 'extreme' (red level), indicating a severe threat of forest fires in the regions of Rabat, Salé, Skhirat, Kenitra, and Khémisset, all located in the western part of the country.
Authorities specifically urged individuals residing in or working near these forested areas, as well as holidaymakers and visitors, to exercise extreme caution. The agency has also identified other regions, including Tangier, Asilah, Taounate, Ifrane, Essaouira, and Agadir, where the risk of forest fires is classified as 'high' (orange level). Additionally, a 'moderate' (yellow level) risk of fires has been noted in the provinces of Ouazzane, Tetouan, Mdiq, Fnideq, Larache, and Taza in the northern part of Morocco.
Residents are encouraged to promptly report any signs of smoke or suspicious behavior to local authorities and to avoid any activities that could potentially ignite a fire. In the previous year, fires consumed around 1,728 hectares of land, with secondary grasses and seasonal plants accounting for about 45% of the affected areas. Forests in Morocco cover approximately 12% of the country's land area and are subject to annual fires that vary in severity depending on climatic conditions and human actions.
As reported by aa.com.tr.
