(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Moroccan firefighters successfully brought a wildfire under control in the northern Tetouan province, after the blaze ravaged approximately 16 hectares (around 40 acres) of land.

The fire ignited on Monday within the Beni Layth Forest, coinciding with a heat wave. The national meteorological agency had previously warned that temperatures could soar to as high as 44°C (111°F).

“The fire scorched an estimated 16 hectares, and amphibious Canadair aircraft conducted 53 water drops to help contain the flames,” said Akaaboune Halim, the regional director of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Tetouan, in an interview with media.

On Friday, Moroccan officials issued a public warning, urging residents in forest-adjacent areas to be extra vigilant, citing a heightened wildfire risk in the days ahead.

In an effort to combat future blazes, the Moroccan government allocated approximately $17 million on May 16 to enhance wildfire prevention and response strategies for the summer of 2025.

That same month, Abderrahim Houmy, the agency's director general, revealed that Morocco had experienced 382 wildfires in 2024, a drastic 82% drop compared to the previous year.

Houmy further detailed that the wildfires this year consumed around 874 hectares, with nearly 45% of the burnt area being seasonal grasses and underbrush.

Forests cover roughly 12% of Morocco’s total landmass and remain vulnerable to seasonal fires, the severity of which is influenced by both climatic conditions and human activity.

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