Fire destroys 120 hectares of forests in Morocco

Fire destroyed 120 hectares of forests last week in the northern region of Morocco.

The causes of the fire are still unknown. The blaze was put out after two-days of coordinated intervention of firefighters, rescue teams and other local security forces.

About 31,000 hectares of forests disappear every year in Morocco due to over-exploitation and fires. To contain this alarming deforestation rhythm, the Moroccan authorities have elaborated an emergency plan to preserve the country's forests which provide 30 % of the country's energy needs and 17 % of the livestock feed.

Morocco has 9 million hectares of forests producing 4 % of the world cork output.