Wildfires in Japan Spread Across 1,800 Hectares

Wildfires in Ōfunato, a city in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, have now spread across about 1,800 hectares as they continue to burn for the fifth consecutive day.

Authorities have yet to determine when the fires will be fully contained.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 4,596 residents, with 1,222 people seeking shelter in school gymnasiums and other facilities as of Sunday morning, according to Japan’s Jiji Press.

Efforts to control the blaze involve 13 helicopters, including six large aircraft from the Self-Defense Forces, which have been conducting aerial water drops.

However, local firefighters report significant challenges due to the region’s rugged terrain, the presence of highly flammable Japanese cedar trees, and strong winds that continue to fuel the flames.

The city government has established 12 evacuation centers to provide assistance to affected residents.

As firefighting teams work tirelessly to contain the spread, concerns remain about the potential for further devastation in the area.