Nearly 380 people have been mobilized for a second consecutive day to battle the wildfire that broke out in the Tazaout forest, within the Talassemtane Geopark in the province of Chefchaouen. Teams have been working around the clock to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other forested areas in the region.
Since the fire broke out on Wednesday, a monitoring and coordination unit has been set up under the direct supervision of the governor of Chefchaouen province. Significant human and logistical resources have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which erupted in an area marked by dense tree cover and diverse vegetation.
The wildfire that broke out in the Tazaout forest in Chefchaouen. (S.Kadry/Le360)
The response operation involves the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection. Local authorities and administrative officials have also been mobilized, alongside teams from the National Agency for Water and Forests and the National Promotion agency. Support teams and volunteers from the local population are also taking part in the operation.
Teams have been working in shifts day and night to contain the fire. Their efforts include clearing access routes, surrounding active fire fronts and securing nearby areas.
After nearly 26 hours of continuous operations, ground crews have made significant progress. Several sections of the fire have been brought under control, and teams have advanced into the affected areas.
However, the rugged terrain has continued to complicate the response, along with unfavorable weather and maritime conditions.
The conditions have also disrupted aerial firefighting operations. Strong winds and dense cloud cover have prevented aircraft operated by the Royal Gendarmerie and the Royal Moroccan Air Force from continuing their missions, leaving ground teams to carry out the bulk of the effort to contain the remaining active fire fronts.
At this stage, the main pockets of fire are under control. A few limited hotspots remain in steep and difficult-to-access areas. These sectors remain under continuous surveillance as teams await improved conditions that would allow aerial operations to resume.
The priority remains extinguishing the remaining hotspots and preventing the fire from reigniting or spreading to other forested areas. Teams are maintaining a permanent presence on the ground while continuing to secure areas where the blaze has already been brought under control.
