The fire that broke out on Saturday in the Ait Isha du Sud forest in the Tillouguite commune (Azilal) has been brought under control following the intervention of two Canadair aircraft from the Royal Air Force, which helped contain the blaze. According to the provincial directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) in Azilal, efforts to combat lingering smoke are ongoing, thanks to the strong commitment of ANEF teams working in coordination with local authorities, civil protection, the Royal Gendarmerie, auxiliary forces, and the local population. The forest fire, which destroyed 13 hectares of mainly Aleppo pine forest, was triggered by a lightning strike, the provincial ANEF directorate confirmed. Ground operations were complicated by rugged, rocky terrain, high temperatures, rockfalls, and sudden shifts in wind direction, which temporarily forced teams to suspend their efforts. Due to the complexity of the situation, the provincial directorate requested aerial support. Two Canadair aircraft were deployed from Lake Bin El Ouidane, making seven water drops that helped contain the fire's spread and allowed ground teams to secure the area. Recently, ANEF identified an extreme fire risk (red level) in the provinces of Tanger-Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, Chefchaouen, Taza, Taounate, Al Hoceïma, Kénitra, Béni Mellal, Azilal, Skhirate-Témara, Salé, Rabat, and Khémisset. This assessment was based on forest composition, combustibility, flammability, as well as topographic and climatic conditions. ANEF also detected a high fire risk (orange level) in the provinces of M'Diq-Fnideq, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra, Sefrou, Khénifra, Ifrane, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Taourirt, Oujda-Angad, Nador, Berkane, and Driouch, along with a medium risk (yellow level) in Sidi Slimane, Meknès, Essaouira, Benslimane, and Taroudant.
