Amskroud forest fire: Interior Minister announces imminent end of extinction operations

Agadir - Interior Minister Mohand Laenser announced, on Saturday in Agadir, the imminent end of extinction operations of the fire that broke out recently in the Amskroud commune, 50 km east of Agadir, and which destroyed over 960 hectares of forests made up mainly of thuja, argan and Russian olive.

We can say that extinction operations are now over, we have contained the last remaining flames, but we should remain alert, said the minister during a working sessions with the different groups involved in these operations.

He hailed the huge efforts made, despite the existence of mountains, by the intervention teams of auxiliary forces, local authorities, royal armed forces, royal gendarmerie and people to fight against the fire.

He also commended the Moroccan-Spanish cooperation which enabled to contain the fire within a short period of time. Containing such big fire in a week is an accomplishment, he said.

Laenser recalled the phone conversation between HM King Mohammed VI and King Juan Carlos I during which the sovereign expressed his heartfelt thanks and the Kingdom's gratitude for the support by the Spanish government to contain the fire.

After lauding the swift responsiveness of the Spanish party which took part in extinction operations and the availability of the Spanish interior minister, Laenser explained that this operation is part of the solid ties between Rabat and Madrid.

The minister also underlined that HM the King is closely following the developments of this forest fire, stressing the monarch's concern to see to it that all necessary measures are taken to preserve goods and people.

Operations to put out the fire included the intervention of seven Moroccan aircrafts and two Spanish fire-fighting planes.

Similar fire in the same forest destroyed in 2011 around 180 hectares.

Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Amskroud-forest...