Control of the Fire in Ait Ishha Forest, Azilal, Achieved After Intervention by Two "Canadair" Aircraft
Moroccan authorities successfully contained a fire that broke out last Saturday in the Ait Ishha forest located in the Telouet area of Azilal province. This was achieved following urgent aerial intervention carried out by two "Canadair" aircraft belonging to the Royal Air Force, which worked to extinguish the raging flames amid rugged terrain.
The regional directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Azilal reported that the fire consumed approximately 13 hectares of forest cover, primarily consisting of pine trees. It was noted that the fire was triggered by a lightning strike.
Ground intervention teams continue their efforts to manage residual smoke, coordinating on-site with local authorities, civil protection, the royal gendarmerie, and auxiliary forces, with support from the local population.
Teams faced significant challenges during operations due to the rocky, rugged nature of the forest, sudden changes in wind direction, and rising temperatures, which forced them to suspend field operations at certain times.
Given the complexity of the situation, the directorate requested aerial support, which was quickly responded to with the deployment of two "Canadair" aircraft that took off from Bin El Ouidane Lake. They executed seven sorties that successfully contained the flames and opened up space for ground advancements.
The National Agency for Water and Forests previously classified the Azilal region within the red zone for extreme fire risk, alongside several other provinces. This classification was based on data regarding forest cover quality, climatic forecasts, and topographical conditions.
Risk levels across different provinces vary, with high risk in areas such as Tetouan, Sefrou, Agadir, and Berkane, and medium risk in provinces like Meknes, Ben Slimane, and Taroudant, amid continuing climatic threats and occasional wildfires during the summer season.
