With the climate change observed recently in the world, it is difficult to ignore this heavy heat which weighs on almost all regions of the Kingdom. Indeed, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) announced, Monday, July 10, a heat wave expected until next Friday in different provinces of the country, with temperatures ranging between 37 and 48 ° C. With such a heat wave, the risk of forest fires also increases and this is what the National Water and Forests Agency (ANEF) has just announced in an update.
Indeed, several regions of Morocco present a “medium” to “extreme” risk of forest fires during the days of Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July, in particular in the province of Chefchaouen with an extreme risk (red level).
ANEF also reports a high risk (orange level) in the provinces of Tangier-Assilah, Fahs-Anjra, Mdiq Fnideq, Tetouan, Larache, Ouezzane, Taza, Al Houceima, Oujda Angad, Khenifra and Agadir ida Outanane.
These alerts coincide with the latest data published by the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) in a “red vigilance” level alert bulletin confirming temperatures reaching 48 ° C expected on Monday and Tuesday in the provinces of Ouezzane, Guercif, Taourirt , Oujda-Angad, Taounate, Moulay Yacoub, Sefrou, Fez, Meknes, Taza, Khemisset, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Saleh, Khouribga, Settat, Marrakech, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Zagora, Tata, Taroudant and Assa-Zag.
THE ” Forest Fire Risk Bulletin of the ANEF, had revealed that the provinces of Agadir Ida-Outanane, Beni Mellal-Khénifra and Taza are the most threatened by the risk of fire at the beginning of this week, classifying these areas in the category ” red level with extreme danger“.
The same data also indicated a “ high risk (orange level) of forest fire » in the provinces of Taroudant, Essaouira, Berkane, Driouch, Oujda Angad, Azilal, Ifrane, Sefrou, Al Hoceima, Taounate, Chefchaouen, Larache, Tanger-Asilah and Ouezzane.
The provinces of Kénitra, Sidi Slimane, Nador, Rabat, Salé, Skhirat-Témara, Al Hoceima, Fahs Anjra, Tétouan, M’diq-Fnideq are classified YELLOW with moderate risk, according to agency data.
This classification aims to determine the provinces “ depending on the degree of danger“, after the analysis of the data concerning in particular ” the quality of the forest cover, its propensity for ignition and combustion, as well as the climatic forecasts and the topographic conditions of the regions“.
In this regard, the Agency recommends that residents living near forest areas, as well as workers and summer visitors, take precautions and exercise caution. He also emphasizes ” the need to avoid any activity that could start a fire, and to promptly report any smoke or suspicious behavior to local authorities“.
Since the beginning of the summer, the ANEF has issued daily special bulletins based on scientific data. These newsletters include forecast maps » specifying the sensitive areas exposed to the risk of forest fire, as well as data relating to the levels of danger in each region according to specific criteria.