Japan is grappling with its most devastating wildfire in five decades, which has claimed one life and forced nearly 4,000 residents to evacuate. The blaze, which erupted five days ago following a period of record-low rainfall, continues to spread near the northern city of Ofunato, with white smoke visible across the forested areas, as seen in aerial footage.
By Tuesday morning, the wildfire had scorched around 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres), making it the largest fire in Japan since 1975, when a similar blaze in Kushiro burned 2,700 hectares on Hokkaido island. The fire has already damaged at least 80 buildings, though authorities are still assessing the full extent of the destruction.
Efforts to control the fire have been hindered by challenging weather conditions. While snow is expected overnight, it will likely turn to rain, though officials remain uncertain if the weather will help extinguish the flames. Helicopters and around 2,000 firefighters, many deployed from other regions including Tokyo, are working tirelessly to contain the blaze in Iwate, a region that was severely impacted by the 2011 tsunami.
The wildfire comes on the heels of Japan’s hottest summer on record last year, with climate change contributing to rising temperatures worldwide. Ofunato, which recorded only 2.5 millimetres of rainfall in February—well below the usual average—has experienced little rain since Friday, further exacerbating the fire.
As of now, an evacuation advisory has been issued for approximately 4,600 people, with 3,939 residents already seeking shelter. The number of wildfires in Japan had decreased since the 1970s, but the country saw a rise in incidents last year, particularly between February and April, when the dry conditions and strong winds increase the risk.
Several local businesses have been affected, including Taiheiyo Cement, which suspended operations at its Ofunato plant due to its location within the evacuation zone. Confectionery company Saitoseika has also warned that it may need to halt production if the area becomes unsafe.
In an outpouring of support, Japanese baseball star Roki Sasaki, who hails from Ofunato and recently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, has donated ¥10 million ($67,000) and 500 sets of bedding to aid the affected community. Sasaki, who lost his father and grandparents in the 2011 tsunami, has expressed his commitment to helping those impacted by the disaster.
