Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) has issued a heatwave alert for several provinces, warning of increased wildfire risk as temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C (104°F) from May 26 to May 28, 2026. The alert covers provinces including Chefchaouen, Ouezzane, Taounate, and Taza in the north, as well as areas in the Middle Atlas and the eastern region.
The DGM's orange-level warning indicates a 'dangerous meteorological phenomenon' with maximum temperatures ranging from 40°C to 44°C. This follows a pattern of rising temperatures in Morocco, which has experienced severe droughts and heatwaves in recent years, exacerbating wildfire conditions.
In response, Moroccan authorities have mobilized firefighting resources and urged citizens to avoid activities that could spark fires, such as burning agricultural waste or discarding cigarettes in nature. The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has also activated its wildfire monitoring system.
Morocco recorded over 2,000 wildfires in 2024, burning more than 6,000 hectares of forest, according to ANEF data. The current heatwave raises concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 fires that destroyed over 22,000 hectares.
