Thousands of residents in northeastern Japan were forced to evacuate after a massive wildfire tore through Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, destroying dozens of buildings and prompting emergency response efforts, local media reported Thursday.
Aerial footage from NHK showed military helicopters dropping water on multiple fire sites across forested areas. The blaze has already consumed at least 84 buildings, leaving 2,000 people displaced. Authorities also discovered a burned body in the area, with police investigating its possible connection to the wildfire.
Kiyoshi Fuchigami, the mayor of Ofunato, described the fire as a “large-scale” disaster, attributing its rapid spread to strong westerly winds that intensified smaller fires in the region. The wildfire has already burned approximately 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of land.
Meanwhile, additional NHK footage captured homes reduced to charred frames in various parts of the city. The current inferno follows a similar blaze in Ofunato on February 19, which was largely extinguished by Tuesday, while another fire in neighboring Rikuzentakata was contained by Wednesday noon.
The exact cause of the wildfire remains unknown, as Japan continues to grapple with increasing fire incidents. In 2023 alone, the country recorded approximately 1,300 wildfires. Authorities remain on high alert as firefighters and emergency teams work to bring the situation under control and prevent further devastation.
