Heatwave fuels wildfires in Morocco

Country is struggling with intense drought and has been hit by soaring temperatures

Men walk along a dirt road as a forest fire rages in Morocco's northern region of Ksar Sghir. AFP

Evacuated people look on as they stand next to a vehicle while behind a wild forest fire rages in Morocco's northern region of Ksar Sghir on July 14, 2022. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

At least 1,000 hectares of forest have been burnt in Larache and Ouezzane since Wednesday. AFP

A man uses a branch to douse small fires in Ksar Sghir. AFP

Firefighters stand by small fires in a village in Ksar Sghir. AFP

The North African country has battled temperatures approaching 45°C in recent days. AFP

The fires have destroyed forests and villages in four provinces across the country. AFP

Scientists say extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts, which increase the chances of fire breaking out, are linked to climate change. AFP

People leave their home as the fire approaches in Ksar Sghir. AFP

A Royal Moroccan Air Force plane drops fire retardant to extinguish the flames in Ksar Sghir. AFP

Hundreds of civil defence workers, including soldiers and police officers, are battling to stop the fire from causing further destruction. AFP

A man walks along a dirt road as the fire rages in Ksar Sghir. AFP

Several villages were evacuated. AFP

A fire engine arrives to take part in efforts to extinguish the fire in Ksar Sghir. AFP

A Royal Moroccan Air Force plane drops fire retardant on the flames. AFP

Residents fled their homes after being shocked at how fast the flames were spreading. AFP

Firefighters gather around a fire engine in Ksar Sghir. AFP

Hundreds of Moroccan firefighters and soldiers battled late on Thursday to put out at least four fires ripping through forests in the north of the kingdom.

The fires, fanned by strong winds in the four areas, have not resulted in any casualties so far, but nearly 500 families were moved "as a precaution" in the provinces of Larache and Taza, according to official statements.

In several villages that were evacuated military planes dropped loads of water to extinguish fires tearing across the dry terrain.

Shocked by how fast the flames were spreading, residents fled their homes, with some families herding their cattle and horses ― upon which their livelihoods depend ― ahead of them.

"I was with my family, and at one point, we heard people shouting, 'Fire! Fire!'" Samir Boundad, from Larache, told AFP.

"We ran out to flee and fortunately, thanks to God, the fire moved up the mountain."

A village in the Ksar El Kebir region was destroyed by the flames.

Hundreds of civil defence workers, as well as soldiers and police officers, are trying to stop the fires from causing more destruction.

In four provinces ― Larache, Ouezzane, Tetouan and Taza ― the fires ripped through forestland that is difficult to access, said Fouad Assali, head of the National Centre for Forest Climate Risk Management.

"Efforts are continuing in the hope of bringing these fires under control," Mr Assali told the official MAP news agency.

Since Wednesday night, at least 1,000 hectares of forest were burnt in Larache and Ouezzane, according to initial reports, leaving burnt trees smouldering under a sky blanketed by plumes of smoke.

The North African nation, which is struggling under an intense drought, has in recent days been hit by soaring temperatures approaching 45ºC.

"It is the heat that causes this kind of fire. It was yesterday at dawn that the fire reached our village," Ahmed Mezouar, 58, a resident of Larache, told AFP. He said he was hopeful that firefighters would be able to contain it.

Still, he worried, because a neighbouring village had been completely surrounded by the flames.