Forest fires in the Maghreb
The extreme summer heat leaves forests liable to the risk of fire. In America, France, Spain Portugal and the Canary Islands fires breakout and cause devstation. Global warming may be adding to the danger. In the Maghreb where forests are a precious resource the danger is ever present.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Forest-fires-in...
In Morocco, the High Commissioner for Water Affairs and Forestry (HCEFLCD) r'ecorded 244 forest fires affecting an area of 1183 hectares. "In terms of geographical area affected, the south-west (Taroudant, Tiznit, Agadir Ait Baha Chtouka) ranks first with 13 outbreaks of fire and burned 620 ha, followed by the Rif (Tetouan, Tangiers, Chefchaouen , Larache and Ouazzane) with 108 fire outbreaks affecting 283 hectares and the Middle Atlas (Ifrane, Midelt, Khenifra) with 15 outbreaks of fire and 102 hectares burned.
In Tunisia,158 reported cases in 2012, the number of forest fires has more than doubled since last year – during which only 77 fires were reported. What is more, according to TAP, approximately 103 fires destroyed over 287 hectares of forests in Tunisia in the period stretching from May 1, 2012 to July 25, 2012 alone.Hundreds of acres have already gone up in smoke since early this month of August when the heat wave, combined with gusting winds, caused much havoc to the prestigious forests of the Northwest region. In Kef, much of the two forests of Takrouna (Sakiet Sidi Youssef) and Gfa (Nebeur) were damaged by fire, many forests in the region of Jendouba suffered a lot heavier, especially at Ain Draham where they speak of a true natural disaster and where the Ghardimaou Ain Sultan forest caught fire. At Beja, the situation appears to be cooling, but with the fires triggered at Ain Yunis and Zaldou in Testour delegation and Nefza, the damage is considered significant with over 25 hectares of forest destroyed, TAP reported.
In Algeria,fire has destroyed 11,000 hectares of forests over past ten weeks.A total of 11,145 hectares of forests have been destroyed across the country by fire since June 1st, i.e. six times more than during the same period last year, said Director General of Forests (DGF) Mohamed Seghir Noual.
"Our units were well prepared for the summer season, but the blazes ravaging our forests are so intense and unpredictable. Fire has continued to destroy hectares of forests in different regions of the country since the beginning of Ramadan," Noual told APS.
During the period running from 1 June to 4 August, a total area of 11,145.74 hectares were engulfed in flames nationwide, including 8,252.57 hectares of forests and 2,893.17 hectares of bush.
In Tunisia,158 reported cases in 2012, the number of forest fires has more than doubled since last year – during which only 77 fires were reported. What is more, according to TAP, approximately 103 fires destroyed over 287 hectares of forests in Tunisia in the period stretching from May 1, 2012 to July 25, 2012 alone.Hundreds of acres have already gone up in smoke since early this month of August when the heat wave, combined with gusting winds, caused much havoc to the prestigious forests of the Northwest region. In Kef, much of the two forests of Takrouna (Sakiet Sidi Youssef) and Gfa (Nebeur) were damaged by fire, many forests in the region of Jendouba suffered a lot heavier, especially at Ain Draham where they speak of a true natural disaster and where the Ghardimaou Ain Sultan forest caught fire. At Beja, the situation appears to be cooling, but with the fires triggered at Ain Yunis and Zaldou in Testour delegation and Nefza, the damage is considered significant with over 25 hectares of forest destroyed, TAP reported.
In Algeria,fire has destroyed 11,000 hectares of forests over past ten weeks.A total of 11,145 hectares of forests have been destroyed across the country by fire since June 1st, i.e. six times more than during the same period last year, said Director General of Forests (DGF) Mohamed Seghir Noual.
"Our units were well prepared for the summer season, but the blazes ravaging our forests are so intense and unpredictable. Fire has continued to destroy hectares of forests in different regions of the country since the beginning of Ramadan," Noual told APS.
During the period running from 1 June to 4 August, a total area of 11,145.74 hectares were engulfed in flames nationwide, including 8,252.57 hectares of forests and 2,893.17 hectares of bush.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Forest-fires-in...