A forest fire in Japan’s Iwate prefecture has damaged more than 80 homes, Japanese media reported on Thursday.
The fire started on February 26 in a mountain forest in the town of Ofunato. The flames have now spread to an area of 600 hectares.
Authorities have advised 2,114 residents of 873 households to evacuate. There are currently 540 people in evacuation centres and social assistance points.
Firefighters have so far failed to stop the spread of the fire. Army helicopters are taking part in extinguishing the fire. Forecasters have issued dry weather warnings for the southern coast of Iwate Prefecture since February 18.
Efforts to fight the fire around residential areas continue. Self-Defence Force helicopters began dropping water from the air from the early hours of Thursday.
Footage released by local media showed flames and white smoke in a forest about 500 metres from residential homes and other properties in Sanrikutyo Ryori. Police are restricting traffic to keep people away.
A 78-year-old man living nearby said he had moved to an evacuation centre but could not sleep, so he came to see what was happening. He expressed hope that the fires would be dealt with quickly.
