Massive wildfire ravages Japan’s Iwate Prefecture

A raging wildfire near the northern city of Ofunato in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture has continued to spread for the fifth consecutive day, fueled by record-low rainfall and intense heat.

White smoke was seen billowing from a forested area, as captured in aerial TV footage, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The blaze follows Japan's hottest summer on record in 2023, a year marked by extreme temperatures and heightened by global climate change. As of March 4 morning, the wildfire had scorched approximately 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres) of land, over seven times the size of New York's Central Park. According to Japan's fire and disaster management agency, this fire now stands as the country’s largest wildfire since 1975 when 2,700 hectares were burned in Kushiro on northern Hokkaido island.

At least 80 buildings are estimated to have been destroyed, though further assessments are ongoing. Firefighters and military helicopters are actively working to contain the blaze, but it continues to spread. A city official reassured reporters, saying, “There is little concern that the fire will reach the [more densely populated] city area,” adding that authorities are “doing our best” to extinguish the fire.

Around 2,000 firefighters, including many dispatched from other parts of Japan such as Tokyo, are battling the flames both from the air and on the ground. The Iwate region, where Ofunato is located, was severely impacted by the devastating tsunami of 2011, and local authorities are working tirelessly to protect residents. 

An evacuation advisory has been issued for approximately 4,600 people, with nearly 4,000 individuals already leaving their homes to seek shelter, the municipality reported. Although the number of wildfires in Japan has decreased since its peak in the 1970s, the country still faced approximately 1,300 fires in 2023, particularly during the dry months of February to April when conditions are ripe for wildfires.

By Naila Huseynova