Firefighters in Japan Intensify Efforts as Iwate Wildfire Spreads


Japan: Firefighters in Japan are persistently battling a forest fire in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate, as the nation’s disaster management agency called for additional support from fire departments across the country on Sunday.



According to Qatar News Agency, nearly 1,700 firefighters from approximately 450 departments have been deployed to control the blaze that erupted on Wednesday in Ofunato. Despite significant efforts, the fire has spread over five days, with assistance from helicopters, including those from the Self-Defense Forces, helping to prevent the flames from advancing towards residential areas along Ofunato’s Pacific coast.



As of Sunday, nearly 1,800 hectares of land have been consumed by the fire, marking an increase of 400 hectares from the previous day. The city has issued evacuation orders to approximately 4,600 residents, with over 1,200 individuals currently taking refuge in shelters.



Japanese authorities have stated that these forest fires are the most severe and extensive since the wildfire that occurred in 1992.