About 1,700 firefighters in Japan are busy battling Japan’s biggest wildfire in three decades, while about 4,600 residents have been advised to evacuate, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.
One person died last week in the blaze in the northern Iwate region, which came after record low rainfall in the area and the hottest summer in Japan’s history last year.
The fire near the town of Ofunato has engulfed an area totalling about 2,100 hectares since February 27, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Firefighters from 14 regions of Japan, including units from Tokyo, are currently battling the blaze, while 16 helicopters, including military helicopters, are trying to extinguish the flames. By March 2, the agency estimates that 84 buildings had been damaged by the fire, although details are still emerging.
About 2,000 people have left the area to stay with friends or relatives and more than 1,200 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters, officials said.
Early morning footage from Ofunato, broadcast by national broadcaster NHK, showed orange flames near the buildings and white smoke rising into the air.
