Over 900 Hectares Affected by Wildfires in Ehime and Okayama

Wildfires in Ehime and Okayama, Japan, have consumed over 900 hectares of land. Evacuation orders have impacted thousands of households. The local government has initiated disaster relief measures while residents express concerns over fire management.

In western Japan, wildfires in Ehime and Okayama prefectures have ravaged over 900 hectares of land since they started on Sunday. Specifically, the city of Imabari in Ehime has reported 417 hectares burned, while the city of Okayama experienced 559 hectares affected, according to local authorities.

In response to the crisis, the Ehime Prefectural Government declared that Imabari and the adjacent city of Saijo are eligible for disaster relief aid. Evacuation orders have impacted 3,848 households in Imabari and 1,091 households in Okayama and neighboring Tamano. Although Okayama’s evacuation order was lifted on Monday evening, it was reinstated on Tuesday due to persistent fire threats.

The wildfires have also afflicted Mount Kasamatsu, which previously faced a similar incident in 2008. A local resident expressed concerns, stating, “The area destroyed (this time) is larger than that 17 years ago.” Additionally, a local construction company’s facilities, including a factory, were significantly damaged in Imabari.

Daisuke Toyama, a relative of the company manager, remarked on the situation, saying, “It was too late when I came,” suggesting a lack of preparedness from the local fire department regarding the potential spread of the fire.

The recent wildfires in Ehime and Okayama prefectures have caused significant destruction, affecting over 900 hectares of land and leading to numerous evacuations. As authorities implement disaster relief measures, concerns about fire management and preparedness continue to be highlighted by residents, emphasizing the escalating risks of such natural disasters.

Original Source: www.japantimes.co.jp