Iwate Wildfire Crisis: Over 2,600 Hectares Burned, Communities Evacuated
The wildfire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, has burned 2,600 hectares and led to the evacuation of 1,896 households as it enters its second week. Firefighting efforts continue amidst community exhaustion and anxiety, with a low-pressure system bringing potential rain. Government measures include securing housing for evacuees.
As of March 5, 2025, the wildfire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, has entered its second week, marking the largest wildfire in Japan since 1989. It has already scorched 2,600 hectares, prompting evacuation orders for 1,896 households, affecting 4,596 residents. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, but local inhabitants face fatigue from prolonged evacuation.
The wildfire ignited around 1 p.m. on February 26 and has damaged at least 84 structures, tragically resulting in the discovery of a deceased individual. Due to a lack of significant rainfall since February 17, conditions have been dry, although light precipitation is anticipated due to a low-pressure system over the Pacific.
Currently, approximately 1,200 evacuees are sheltered in 12 centers in Ofunato, with reports of discomfort and stress. Kazuyuki Sasaki, an evacuee, expressed the challenges of confined living conditions, stating, “It’s exhausting as this place is tiny and there is no privacy.” Another evacuee, an elderly woman, shared her anxiety about the fate of her home during this crisis.
In response to the disaster, the Iwate prefectural government has arranged 46 housing units for evacuees in both Ofunato and nearby Rikuzentakata, while efforts to establish temporary housing are ongoing.
The wildfire in Ofunato represents a significant humanitarian and environmental crisis as it impacts thousands of residents. Ongoing firefighting efforts and government support are aimed at mitigating the effects of this disaster. With continued dry conditions, rain may provide some relief, but the community will require extensive recovery and support in the wake of the devastation.
Original Source: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
