HIBAPRESS – Rabat
As part of the proactive preparations for the summer season, a meeting of the National Steering Committee in charge of forest fire prevention and control was held today, Tuesday, at the headquarters of the National Agency for Water and Forests, chaired by the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Abdelrahim Houmy, and with the participation of various concerned stakeholders.
This meeting was a strategic point to assess the results of forest fires during the year 2025, where 418 fires were recorded, affecting a total area of 1,728 hectares, thus registering a decrease of 65% compared to the average of the last ten years. This positive performance reflects the effectiveness of the adopted measures and the joint mobilization of various services, despite the registration of noticeable pressure in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, which accounted for a significant percentage of the affected areas. The data highlighted that 94% of the fires were controlled in their early stages before exceeding an area of 5 hectares, while exceptional cases were recorded during the month of August in the province of Chefchaouen, as a result of unprecedented heat waves that contributed to the spread of large-scale fires, which confirms the growing impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. In a related context, the Mediterranean basin witnessed a severe season in 2025 in terms of fires, especially in Spain and Portugal, but Morocco was able to reduce the repercussions of this phenomenon thanks to the precise coordination between the various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, Civil Protection, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Royal Air Forces, the Royal Armed Forces, and the Auxiliary Forces. Given the current indicators, which are characterized by the abundance of vegetation as a result of the recent rainfall, a financial envelope of approximately 150 million dirhams has been allocated to strengthen the forest fire prevention and control system for the year 2026. This program includes the preparation and maintenance of forest trails, the establishment of firebreaks, the rehabilitation of water points, and the maintenance of watchtowers, in addition to supporting human resources and strengthening logistical means. The Agency also continues its efforts in the field of awareness and education, considering that the human factor remains the main cause of fires. The campaigns organized during the year 2025, especially on the occasion of the National Day for Awareness of the Dangers of Forest Fires, enabled reaching about 35,000 beneficiaries through activities that targeted educational institutions and forest spaces, in addition to issuing periodic publications to strengthen the culture of prevention and vigilance. At the conclusion of this meeting, the National Agency for Water and Forests calls on all citizens and visitors to forest spaces to act responsibly and avoid all behaviors that may cause fires, while immediately reporting any potential danger, confirming that protecting the forest wealth is a collective responsibility that requires comprehensive and sustainable mobilization.
