Royal Armed Forces Take Action Against Forest Fires
The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have launched a comprehensive aerial operation to combat the ongoing threat of forest fires across the nation, leveraging their full fleet of firefighting aircraft. This initiative features eight Canadair CL-415 planes from the Royal Air Force, along with fifteen Turbo Thrush aircraft from the Royal Gendarmerie and two EC225 Super Puma helicopters, all working in unison to tackle the crisis effectively.
Operating from the 3rd Air Base in Kenitra, the Canadair planes play a pivotal role in a four-tier intervention strategy designed to manage and extinguish wildfires. The operation is an extensive collaboration involving the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces, Civil Protection, local authorities, and the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), alongside the General Directorate of Meteorology and the National Center for Forest Climate Risk Management. At the ground level, teams are tasked with managing first-level fires, while the Canadairs engage at the secondary level, followed by the Gendarmerie's aircraft at the third level. The final tier involves international assistance to safeguard human lives, property, and forests.
Importance of Quick Response and Coordination
Lieutenant Colonel Badr Bourassi emphasized the critical nature of swift response times, crew availability, and seamless coordination among pilots, technicians, and ground teams in effectively controlling the fires. Furthermore, the squadron is involved in international missions through cooperation agreements with various countries, which highlights the global dimension of firefighting efforts.
Canadair pilot Anas Bel-haj noted the aircraft's capability to scoop up over 6,000 liters of water from the sea, reservoirs, or lakes within just twelve seconds. Each aircraft operates with a duo of pilots and can access remote mountainous and forested areas that are otherwise unreachable. The Super Puma helicopters can carry approximately 2,500 liters of water or retardant and can replenish their supplies in just 20 seconds. In contrast, the Turbo Thrush aircraft can transport between 2,000 and 2,500 liters, boasting a flight endurance of four and a half hours.
The entire fleet benefits from thorough preventive maintenance, which includes comprehensive inspections of engines, landing gear, water tanks, avionics, and electrical systems. Colonel Major Rachid Akkaoui indicated that these operations are now entirely managed by Moroccan personnel, thereby enhancing national sovereignty over heavy aircraft maintenance.
In addition, Abderrahim Houmy, General Director of ANEF, revealed that over 2,800 lookout agents and forest rangers are deployed throughout the country for surveillance and early warning purposes. Ground operations utilize rapid intervention vehicles, Civil Protection resources, and specialized units under unified command to enhance effectiveness in fighting the fires.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
