From the first hours of the fire, the Royal Air Force deployed three Canadair water bomber aircraft, which carried out nearly 18 sorties. An EC225 helicopter operated by the Royal Gendarmerie was also mobilized, completing around 11 intensive flights that helped contain the flames as they spread across a large area.
According to multiple sources, the aircraft took off from Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport and Tetouan Sania Ramel Airport. Their rapid deployment, combined with guidance from ground teams, significantly limited the fire’s advance toward nearby forested areas. The Royal Gendarmerie helicopter, deployed for the second time in this type of operation, played a key role by carrying out highly precise water drops.
Despite difficult weather conditions, with easterly winds exceeding 60 km/h, aerial firefighting operations continued for more than five hours, helping contain the blaze within the heart of the forest.
On the ground, a large-scale response was coordinated under the supervision of Younes Tazi, wali of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, who arrived at the scene shortly after the fire broke out. A crisis cell was immediately activated to oversee operations and prevent the blaze from spreading further.
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Ground operations were significantly reinforced with the deployment of around 350 personnel, including Royal Armed Forces engineering units, Civil Protection teams, the Royal Gendarmerie, the National Agency of Water and Forests, National Promotion staff, and local authorities. Residents of the area also assisted in the firefighting efforts.
The Khendak Snane forest fire has been brought more than 90% under control, according to authorities.. le360
Several firefighting vehicles and water tankers were deployed to support the operation. Crews also carried out brush-clearing work and created firebreaks to stop the flames from reaching a nearby, denser forest.
According to a preliminary assessment, nearly 38 hectares were affected by the fire. Firefighters remain on site to extinguish the remaining hotspots.
Meanwhile, the Royal Gendarmerie has opened an investigation, under the supervision of the Tangier public prosecutor’s office, to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the fire.
