Wild forest fires in northeast Japan have forced around 3,000 people to evacuate their homes, with more than 2,500 urged to leave as blazes continue for a fourth day. The fires have scorched more than 730 hectares and destroyed at least eight buildings.
Two forest fires in Iwate Prefecture have been burning since Wednesday afternoon, scorching more than 730 hectares in two districts of Otsuchi. The first blaze engulfed a mountainous area, followed by another about two hours later roughly 10 km away, near residential neighbourhoods. The fires have forced around 3,000 people to evacuate, according to multiple reports, while more than 2,500 have been urged to leave their homes. The difference in figures may reflect varying definitions between evacuation orders and advisories, or the timing of reports. More than half of Otsuchi's population of 3,233 is under evacuation orders, major media reported.
Ultimately, I do hope it'll rain.
Residents have said the fire could be smelled up to 30 km away. The flames have destroyed at least eight buildings, officials confirmed. The current blazes have burned the third-largest area on record in Japan, according to media reports. The scale of the destruction has raised concerns about the impact on the local environment and the safety of residents. The fires have forced around 3,000 people to evacuate, with more than half of Otsuchi's population under evacuation orders.
More than 1,300 firefighters, along with troops from the Japan Self-Defence Forces, have been mobilised to battle the fires. Helicopters have been deployed to drop water over affected areas and forests near homes at risk. No casualties have been reported, officials said. According to The Independent - Main, a resident in Otsuchi described hoping for rain to help contain the flames. The response efforts continue as authorities monitor the situation.
The cause of the fires remains unknown, and it is unclear how many buildings have been destroyed beyond the eight reported. The containment timeline has not been announced, and the status of evacuation orders for the remaining population is still evolving. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as firefighting efforts persist.