Massive Forest Fire Erupts in Japan, Consuming 2,600 Hectares

A significant forest fire has broken out in the northeastern region of Japan, marking the largest such incident in decades. The fire, which ignited last week in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, has ravaged an area exceeding 2,600 hectares, roughly equivalent to 3,600 football fields, according to reports from local authorities.

As dense white smoke billowed from the mountainous forest near Ofunato Bay, emergency services mobilized quickly. A helicopter from the Japan Self-Defense Forces has been deployed to assist in water-dousing efforts since early morning. Tragically, reports indicate that at least one individual has lost their life due to the blaze.

In response to the escalating situation, officials have advised approximately 4,600 residents in the vicinity to evacuate. Already, around 2,000 people have sought refuge with friends and relatives, while more than 1,200 others have been accommodated in emergency shelters.

Over 2,000 firefighters from 14 different regions, including teams from Tokyo, are actively combatting the flames. Their efforts are bolstered by 16 helicopters, including military aircraft, working to suppress the fire from the air. Fortunately, authorities have managed to prevent the flames from spreading into residential areas in Ofunato. However, as of Sunday, at least 84 structures have sustained damage.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, this blaze represents the most severe forest fire in Japan since the late 1980s. The Tohoku region, which includes Iwate Prefecture, was severely impacted by a devastating earthquake and tsunami nearly 14 years ago on March 11, 2011, which resulted in approximately 20,000 fatalities and triggered a catastrophic nuclear incident at the Fukushima power plant.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged that all available firefighting and self-defense resources will be utilized to safeguard homes in the affected areas. Despite a general decline in the number of forest fires in Japan since the peak in the 1970s, around 1,300 incidents were recorded nationwide in 2023, mainly during the dry and windy period from February to April. Notably, Ofunato experienced a mere 2.5 millimeters of rainfall in February, significantly below the average of 41 millimeters. Last summer was also marked as the hottest on record in Japan.