Thousands evacuated as Japan's biggest fire in decades continues to burn

Japan has deployed over 2,000 firefighters to combat the country's largest forest fire in nearly three decades. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan (FDMA), the fire has resulted in at least one fatality and has scorched over 5,200 acres of land surrounding the northern Japanese city of Ofunato since Thursday.

Although January to March is typically the driest season in Ofunato, the region experienced lower rainfall last month than any February in the past 20 years, recording only 2.5 millimeters compared to the usual average of 41 millimeters. Currently, approximately 4,600 people remain under government-issued evacuation orders, as the fire continues to spread, posing a significant threat to the surrounding communities.

Officials report that around 2,000 individuals have already evacuated the area, seeking shelter with relatives and friends, while over 1,200 people have been evacuated to shelters. The fire is raging in the forested region of Iwate Prefecture, which is Japan's second-largest prefecture and has the second-lowest population density in the country.

It is estimated that over 80 buildings have been damaged to date, but the FDMA notes that the related details are still under assessment. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated in parliament, "While the spread of the fire is, to some extent, unavoidable, we will take all possible measures to ensure that people's homes are not affected." This commitment underscores the government's determination to mitigate the impact of the disaster.

Thousands of firefighters from 14 prefectures, including Tokyo, have been dispatched to participate in the firefighting efforts. At least 16 helicopters are also being utilized, with images showing these aircraft dropping water onto the smoldering hills. Similar to many other nations, Japan also recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, exacerbating the risk of wildfires.

While it is difficult to definitively determine whether climate change directly caused or exacerbated the specific fire, as other factors such as changes in land use patterns are also relevant, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that climate change is making the weather conditions needed for wildfires to spread more likely. This highlights the growing threat of wildfires in a changing climate and the need for proactive measures.