Thousands evacuated as the largest fire in Japan has continued to burn for decades

Japan has deployed over 2000 firefighters to fight the largest forest fire in the country for three decades.

At least one person died in the flame that burned more than 5200 acres around the northern Japanese city of Ofunato since Thursday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA).

Although January to March is usually the worst season of Ofunato, there is less rainfall last month in the area every February for more than 20 years -registering only 2.5 millimeters, compared to the usual average of 41.

About 4,600 people remain on orders issued by the government as the fire continues to burn.

About 2000 have already left the area to stay with friends or relatives, and over 1,200 have been evacuated to shelters, employees said.

The fires burn in the forest area of ​​Iwate Prefecture, which is the second largest prefecture in Japan and has the second lowest population density in the country.

More than 80 buildings are believed to have been damaged so far, although FDMA notes that the details are still being evaluated.

“Although it is inevitable to spread the fire to some extent, we will take all possible measures to ensure that there will be no influence on people’s homes,” Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in parliament.

Thousands of firefighters from 14 prefectures, including Tokyo, have been sent to fight the fires. At least 16 helicopters are also used with images displaying the aircraft ejecting water on the smoldering hills.

Like many other countries, Japan in 2024 recorded its first year since the beginning of the records.

It is difficult to understand whether climate change has caused or worsened specific fires, since other factors – such as changes in the way land is used – are also relevant.

However, says IPCC Climatic changes make the weather conditions needed for shorter fires to spread more likely.

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