Wildfires broke out in western Japan’s Okayama and Ehime prefectures, prompting evacuations but resulting in no injuries. Emergency services are actively combatting the blazes, with significant resources deployed. The incidents occur following a previous major wildfire in Iwate Prefecture earlier this year.
On Sunday, wildfires erupted in the mountainous regions of two prefectures in western Japan, prompting the evacuation of residents; however, no injuries have been reported, according to local authorities. In Okayama, approximately 15 fire trucks and a firefighting helicopter have been deployed by the prefectural government to combat the blaze, which was initially reported through an emergency call around 3 p.m.
A separate wildfire was detected in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, around 3:55 p.m., where prefectural police have urged nearby residents to evacuate as firefighting operations continued. These incidents come in the wake of a significant wildfire that occurred in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, in late February, which ravaged around 3,000 hectares and took 12 days to be contained.
In Okayama, some residents have opted to evacuate voluntarily as the wildfire approaches their community at the base of the mountain, while certain sections of an expressway close to Imabari have been closed as a precautionary measure. Both cities remain alert, diligently monitoring the situation for further developments.
The occurrence of wildfires in western Japan has prompted immediate evacuation measures and heightened alertness among local residents. Despite no reported injuries, firefighters are actively engaged in combating the blazes, which have the potential to escalate. Recent history indicates the need for vigilance following the extensive wildfire in northeastern Japan that took considerable resources to contain.
Original Source: english.kyodonews.net
