Japan has deployed more than 2,000 firefighters to combat the country’s largest forest fires in three decades.
At least one person died in the fire, who has burned over 5,200 acres in the north of the Japanese city of Ofunato since Thursday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA).
Although January to March to March be generally the dry season of Offato, the region saw less precipitation last month than all February in more than 20 years – recording only 2.5 millimeters, against the usual average of 41.
About 4,600 people remain under evacuation orders issued by the government while the fire continues to burn.
Some 2,000 have already left the region to stay with friends or parents, and more than 1,200 have evacuated to shelters, officials said.
Fires burn in an Iwate prefecture forest area, which is the second largest prefecture in Japan and has the second lower population in the country.
More than 80 buildings have been damaged so far, although the FDMA noted that the details are still being evaluated.
“Although it is inevitable that the fire spreads to a certain extent, we will take all possible measures to ensure that there will be no impact on people’s houses,” Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Parliament.
Thousands of firefighters from 14 prefectures, including Tokyo, were sent to fight fires. At least 16 helicopters are also used, with images showing planes that pour water over the flowing hills.
Like many other countries, Japan in 2024 has recorded its hottest year since the records start.
