A massive wildfire in northern Japan is spreading rapidly after damaging dozens of homes and forcing over 1,000 people to flee. The fire, which broke out in the city of Ofunato on the north-east coast, has spread through about 2,100 hectares of land and damaged 84 homes.
Local authorities believe the blaze may have contributed to a man’s death, whose body was found on a road in the city last week. Over 1,200 residents are currently taking refuge in school gymnasiums and other shelters, with an additional 2,000 staying with friends or relatives.
The fire has been challenging to control due to strong winds and dry conditions, which have caused the worst-hit neighbourhoods of Ofunato to experience their driest winter since records began in 1946. The region saw just 2.5mm of rainfall throughout February, compared to an average of 41 mm for the same month in previous years.
Experts attribute the fire’s rapid spread to dry weather conditions, strong winds, and flammable coniferous trees. While wildfires have declined in Japan since their peak in the 1970s, the country saw around 1,300 fires in 2023, concentrated in February to April when air dries and winds pick up.
The government has deployed over 2,000 self-defence force troops and firefighters to combat the blaze. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to take all necessary measures to limit the damage, while a meteorological agency warns that snow is expected to start falling from early on Wednesday, potentially bringing relief to affected areas.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/04/japan-wildfires-ofunato-updates-warning