Japan Battles Largest Wildfire in Over 30 Years
Wildfire Spreads Across Forest in Iwate Prefecture
A military helicopter assists with firefighting efforts as smoke rises from the hills in Ofunato, Iwate prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Friday. (EPA Images pic)
Japan is currently battling its largest wildfire in over three decades, with flames spreading across a large area of forest in the northern region of Iwate.
Firefighting Efforts Underway
Flames are estimated to have spread over about 1,200ha in the forest of Ofunato since the fire broke out on Wednesday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The agency has mobilized around 1,700 firefighters from across the country to combat the blaze.
Previous Record Broken
The current fire is the largest since the 1992 wildfire in Kushiro, Hokkaido, which burned 1,030ha. The agency is still examining the size of the affected area, but it is clear that this fire is the biggest in recent history.
Consequences of the Fire
Local police have found the body of one person who had been burned on Thursday. Over 1,000 nearby residents have been evacuated, and more than 80 buildings have been damaged as of Friday, according to the Ofunato municipality. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.
Other Fires Across Japan
Two other fires are also burning, one in Yamanashi and another in a different area of Iwate. This brings the total number of wildfires in Japan to three.
Wildfires in Japan: A Growing Concern
Wildfires are a growing concern in Japan, with about 1,300 reported in 2023, concentrated in the February to April period when the air dries out and winds pick up. While the number of wildfires has declined since the peak in the 1970s, the country is still vulnerable to these natural disasters.
Climate Change Contributes to Wildfires
Last year was Japan’s hottest since records began, mirroring other nations as ever-rising greenhouse gas emissions fuel climate change. Ofunato has seen only 2.5mm of rainfall this month, on course to fall far below the previous record low for February of 4.4mm in 1967.
Conclusion
The current wildfire in Japan is a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. As the country continues to battle the blaze, it is clear that climate change poses a significant threat to Japan’s safety and security.
FAQs
- What is the current size of the affected area?
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is still examining the size of the affected area, but it is the largest since the 1992 wildfire in Kushiro, Hokkaido. - How many firefighters are involved in the firefighting efforts?
Around 1,700 firefighters are being mobilized from across the country to combat the blaze. - How many people have been evacuated?
Over 1,000 nearby residents have been evacuated, and more than 80 buildings have been damaged as of Friday. - What is the cause of the fire?
The cause of the blaze remains unknown.