Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Northern Japan as Thousands Evacuated

Hundreds of firefighters in Japan are continuing efforts for the fourth consecutive day to contain wildfires in the north of the country, as authorities urge more than 3,200 residents to evacuate their homes.

According to a statement reported by Japan Today, the fires broke out last Wednesday in mountainous areas of Iwate Prefecture and have so far burned around 700 hectares.

Authorities plan to deploy about 12 helicopters and more than 1,300 firefighters, with additional support from the Japan Self-Defense Forces to help control the fires.

At least eight buildings have been destroyed, though all residents were safely evacuated.

Officials warn that increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires. A previous fire in the city of Ofunato earlier last year was described as the worst in the country in more than 50 years.

Scientists have long cautioned that climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions is likely to intensify and prolong drought conditions, creating an environment more prone to wildfires.