Moroccan Firefighters Contain Chefchaouen Blaze After 1,100 Hectares Burned

Some 520 elements from the Water and Forests, Civil Protection, Auxiliary Forces, Royal Armed Forces and Royal Gendarmerie, as well as local authorities, were mobilized to overcome this fire, said Rachid El-Anzi, regional director of Water and Forests, adding that they were supported by land technical means, four Canadair aircraft from the Moroccan air force and four Turbo Trush aircraft from the Royal Gendarmerie.

The fires in the Chefchaouen region broke out last Saturday and plunged the inhabitants of the small tourist town into psychosis. Several families had to leave their homes in the face of the flames.

The fire, the origin of which has not yet been determined, broke out as the country experienced a heatwave last week. The fires that hit Chefchaouen destroyed large forest areas of the region, known for its virgin and lush nature. The fires caused heavy economic losses for the residents.