A massive wildfire raging in northeastern Japan has become the country's worst in 50 years, fueled by record low rainfall and a scorching summer. The blaze has scorched over 2,600 hectares, damaged at least 80 buildings, and forced thousands to evacuate.
A wildfire continues to burn in a mountainous region of Ofunato , Iwate Prefecture , in northeastern Japan . The fire, which began five days ago after record low rainfall, is the worst Japan has seen in half a century. As of Tuesday morning, the wildfire had engulfed around 2,600 hectares, more than seven times the area of New York's Central Park. It is estimated to have damaged at least 80 buildings.White smoke billowed from the forested area around Ofunato , aerial TV footage showed.
Firefighters, including military and fire department helicopters, are battling the blaze, but it is still spreading. Officials said there is little concern that the fire will reach the more densely populated city area. An evacuation advisory has been issued to around 4,600 people, of whom 3,939 have left their homes. The municipality is providing shelter to those who have evacuated.The number of wildfires in Japan has declined since its 1970s peak, but the country saw about 1,300 in 2023, concentrated in February to April when the air dries and winds pick up. Ofunato had just 2.5mm of rainfall in February, breaking the previous record low for the month of 4.4mm in 1967 and below the usual average of 41mm. Since Friday, there has been no rain - or very little, if any - in Ofunato, a local weather agency official told AFP. Some companies have been affected by the wildfire, such as Taiheiyo Cement, which told AFP its Ofunato plant has suspended operations for several days because part of its premises is in the evacuation advisory zone. Ofunato-based confectionery company Saitoseika warned that if our headquarters or plants become a no-go zone, we may need to halt production, describing the situation as tense. Japanese baseball prodigy Roki Sasaki - who recently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers - has offered a 10 million yen (US$67,000) donation and 500 sets of bedding, Ofunato city's official account posted on X.
Wildfire Japan Ofunato Iwate Prefecture Climate Change Disaster Evacuation Rainfall Damage
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