A wildfire in Ofunato has burned approximately 2,100 hectares, prompting evacuation orders for over 4,500 individuals. This incident marks Japan’s largest forest fire since 1989, with over 80 buildings destroyed. Efforts to combat the fire involve aerial support and ground firefighting teams, while many residents are seeking shelter in designated facilities or with relatives.
On March 4, 2025, a wildfire in Ofunato, located in Iwate Prefecture, has entered its sixth day, expanding the burned area to approximately 2,100 hectares. This escalation represents a significant incident, marking the largest forest fire in Japan since 1989.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of 4,596 individuals from 1,896 households within the city, with around 3,661 residents—about 11% of the city’s population—having complied with the evacuation orders. Residents continue to observe the rising smoke from the forest with increasing anxiety.
In an attempt to combat the blaze, the prefecture has deployed 19 helicopters, including eight from the Self-Defense Force. Ground firefighters are persistently working to suppress the flames, but there is currently no indication of an end to the fire.
As of 7 a.m. on that Monday, 1,197 individuals were seeking refuge in 12 designated shelters, while 2,464 others had arranged to stay with family or friends. Reports indicate that over 80 homes and buildings have succumbed to the flames in this devastating fire, which has burned more than twice the area affected by the 1992 Kushiro fire in Hokkaido, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The Ofunato wildfire has become a significant environmental and humanitarian crisis, prompting mass evacuations and widespread destruction. With over 2,100 hectares affected and more than 80 structures destroyed, efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing. The situation continues to develop as authorities work diligently to safeguard residents and control the wildfire’s spread.
Original Source: asianews.network
