Wildfires in Ehime and Okayama prefectures continue for the third consecutive day, expanding to 214 hectares in Ehime and 300 hectares in Okayama. Evacuation orders have been issued for 2,585 residents, with ongoing efforts to control the blazes. Power outages have affected some households, compounding the challenges faced by local communities.
Wildfires continue to escalate across Ehime and Okayama prefectures in Japan, marking the third day since their onset and significantly expanding the affected areas. In Imabari, five helicopters from the Self-Defense Forces, along with local authorities, have been deployed to combat the blaze. However, despite their efforts, the fire has now impacted approximately 214 hectares, necessitating evacuation orders for 2,585 residents across 1,345 households in Imabari and Saijo. To date, 192 individuals from 166 homes have evacuated the area.
In addition to the fire, Shikoku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Company has cut off electricity to certain households in the Asakura-Minami district of Imabari due to safety concerns. As of Tuesday, around ten households remain without power. A local resident expressed her fears stating, “Even when I thought the fire subsided, then the wind blew up a large blaze like an explosion. I’m scared the fire may continue for a long time.”
In adjacent Okayama City, a previously abated forest fire re-ignited on Tuesday, with increased winds resulting in the burned area expanding an additional 50 hectares. By 10 a.m., the cumulative fire damage was reported at around 300 hectares, raising concerns for resident safety and the ongoing effects of wildfires in the region.
The ongoing wildfires in Japan’s Ehime and Okayama prefectures have led to significant damage and widespread evacuations. With over 2,500 individuals ordered to leave their homes and substantial areas affected, the situation remains dire. Local authorities continue to combat the flames, while concerns surrounding safety and power outages persist, illustrating the serious impact of the fires on the affected communities.
Original Source: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
