Japan Wildfire Scorches 5,200 Acres Of Forest, 1 Dead

Around 5,200 acres of land have burnt since the fire began on Thursday in the northeastern coastal area of Iwate prefecture in Japan.

The fire has burned more than 5,200 acres of forest in Ofunato.

Source : X

Fire fighting operations continued after a massive fire broke out in the northeastern coastal area of Iwate in Japan. Dozens of homes were damaged, and hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate.

According to a BCC, the fire has burned more than 5,200 acres of forest in Ofunato since it started on Thursday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA). The agency said at least 84 homes had been damaged, and around 1,200 people have been evacuated, while about 2,000 have already left the area to stay with friends or relatives.

🚨 Japan’s worst wildfires in 30+ years continue to rage, burning over 5,000 hectares near Ofunato

🧯 Firefighters & military helicopters battle the flames as smoke threatens homes. At least one person has died, and 1,200 residents have evacuated pic.twitter.com/fx98PHqcSx

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 3, 2025

While the fire has subsided in some areas, more than 2,000 troops and firefighters have been deployed from across the country, CNN reported. On Thursday, a man was found dead on the road, upon examination by the authorities, his death was said to be related to the fire.  

At least 16 helicopters are also being used, the aircraft is dumping water onto the hills on fire.

While January to March is typically Ofunato's driest season, since 1946, the northeast region including Ofunato, has experienced their driest winter the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It has received only 2.5 millimetres, compared to the usual average of 41, as per the BBC.

Driest year since world records began

The fires are raging in a forested region of Iwate Prefecture, Japan’s second-largest prefecture, which also has the country’s second-lowest population density.

"Although it is inevitable that the fire will spread to some extent, we will take all possible measures to ensure there will be no impact on people's homes," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in parliament, according to BBC.

Japan, like many other countries, has recorded its hottest year in 2024 since records began.

According to BBC, determining whether climate change has directly caused or worsened specific fires is challenging, as other factors—such as land use changes—also play a significant role.