Morocco raises forest fire alert to red level in 20 provinces
Forest fires in Morocco
Written by: Ayman Ragab
On Tuesday, Moroccan authorities called on residents of areas near forests in 20 out of 75 provinces to exercise extreme caution, starting Wednesday and continuing until July 8.
This came after the risk of forest fires was raised to the highest level, “red”.
Forests cover about 12 percent of Morocco’s area, and annually experience fires of varying intensity depending on climatic conditions and human factors.
Recording a high risk level
The National Water and Forests Agency explained in a statement that the red level includes the regions of Rabat, Salé, Skhirat-Temara, Sidi Slimane, Essaouira, Agadir Ida-Outanane, Taroudant, in addition to Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Khemisset, Fahs Anjra, Larache, Ouezzane, Tangier-Asilah, Taza, Taounate, Ifrane, Sefrou, Meknes, and El Hajeb.
It also noted that a high risk level, “orange,” was recorded in 12 provinces: Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Tetouan, M’diq-Fnideq, Berkane, Nador, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Khenifra, Benslimane, Casablanca, and Mohammedia.
The agency urged residents, forest workers, vacationers, and visitors to exercise caution, immediately report any smoke or suspicious activity, and avoid any activity that could cause fires. Morocco operates an early warning system for forest fire risk assessment, managed by the National Agency for Water and Forests. This system issues warnings periodically based on weather conditions and vegetation status, with a red level indicating the highest risk and an orange level indicating a high risk requiring enhanced preventative measures.
A heat wave will extend from Tuesday until next Thursday.
These warnings are usually issued during the summer, while lower-risk levels, yellow and green, remain within the internal system without public announcement. Forest fires in 2025 consumed approximately 1,728 hectares of Moroccan forests.
Secondary grasses and seasonal plants constituted about 45 percent of the affected areas, with one hectare equal to 10,000 square meters.
The increased warning level coincides with a warning bulletin issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology regarding a heat wave extending from Tuesday until next Thursday, with expectations of temperatures rising to 46 degrees in some parts of the country.
