Emergency teams have successfully contained the forest fire that broke out on Tuesday in the Derdara forest, in the province of Chefchaouen, provincial director of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) Youssef Zarroqi said Thursday. Firefighting operations will continue in the coming days to fully extinguish the blaze, Zarroqi told MAP. He explained that from the moment the fire was reported, all relevant parties, including provincial and local authorities, the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, Civil Protection, Water and Forests services, and Auxiliary Forces — were mobilized to contain and control the flames. Exceptional weather conditions, marked by low humidity, high temperatures, and winds exceeding 40 km/h, combined with dense forest cover, complicated the operation, the official noted. Priority was given to protecting lives, property, and forest resources, thanks to the deployment of the Royal Armed Forces' Canadair planes and the Royal Gendarmerie's Turbo Trush aircraft, he added. By Tuesday, three of the four main hotspots had been brought under control. Efforts continued on Wednesday with all aerial and ground resources mobilized, allowing 80% of the fire to be contained that day before it was fully under control by Thursday. Zarroqi also urged residents and visitors to take all necessary precautions to prevent fires, stressing that the risk is particularly high during this time of year, when soaring temperatures coincide with an increased influx of visitors and holidaymakers.
