Larache - (AFP) - Firefighters and the army in Morocco are trying to control at least four fires that spread in forested areas in the north of the country, according to Fouad Assali, director of the National Center for Climate Risk Management, told AFP.

The forest fires fanned by violent winds have not resulted in any injuries so far, but they have caused the evacuation of nearly 500 families, "as a precautionary measure", in the regions of Larache and Taza, according to official data published in the evening.

Al-Assali explained that forest fires, fueled by violent winds, broke out in the northern regions of Larache, Wazzan, Tetouan and Taza.
A number of villages (villages) were evacuated from their residents, and four "Canadir" water bombers belonging to the army were operating Thursday afternoon over the areas where the fires broke out near the Great Palace area, according to AFP journalists.

In suffocating temperatures, villagers left their homes in a hurry after they were surprised by the spread of fires, and some managed to take cattle and horses with them.

Journalists confirmed to AFP that a small village in the Grand Palace was destroyed by the flames.

Assali said, according to what was reported by the Maghreb Arab News Agency, that efforts are continuing, hoping to control these fires in the coming hours.

Thousands of hectares of forests have been destroyed by fire since Wednesday evening in the provinces of Larache and Ouazzane, according to a preliminary estimate.
Hundreds of members of the Civil Defense, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the Gendarmerie are participating in the firefighting effort, with the support of local authorities.
A few days ago, Morocco was hit by a heat wave, with the temperature approaching 45 degrees Celsius, in a context of exceptional drought and water scarcity.
"The heat is what causes this type of fire. The fire arrived yesterday at dawn in our village, but we are confident that the firefighters will put it out," Ahmed Mezouar, 58, a resident of Larache, told AFP.
"We fear for our homes. A nearby village is completely surrounded by fire. Residents have been evacuated by firefighters. So far we are safe from the fire," he added.