Japan is fighting its worst wildfire in half a century, as flames continue to rage in the northern city of Ofunato in the Iwate region. The devastating blaze, which has been burning for over a week, has already consumed approximately 2,900 hectares (7,170 acres)—half the size of Manhattan—forcing nearly 4,000 residents to evacuate. Authorities confirmed one fatality as firefighters worked relentlessly to contain the spread.
Fire Rages as Residents Flee in Japan
The fire, the biggest in Japan since 1975, comes after a prolonged drought and record-low rainfall. Just 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) of rain fell in Ofunato in February, which is much lower than the 41 millimeters of average rainfall. The drought helped the flames spread fast, and many residents were caught unaware.
85-year-old resident Mitsuo Otsubo explained the horrific scene as he escaped to a relative’s house. “The fire was like nothing I’ve seen before. It was towering and spreading fast,” he said.
A second resident, an 86-year-old woman who did not want her name used, described seeing a lot of smoke, then searing flames. “The wind was really strong and I was so stunned that my pulse became erratic,” she said.
Firefighters Battle Harsh Terrain and Weather
Over 2,000 firefighters, including many from Tokyo and other areas, are deployed on the ground and in the air, employing helicopters to extinguish the blaze. Nevertheless, the hilly terrain, narrow roads, and steep inclines have made it difficult to fight the fires.
“The fact that teams of firefighters are being reinforced every day, and that the fire has been going on for a week, shows the extent of the dry weather and the difficulties we are facing,” Ofunato Mayor Kiyoshi Fuchigami said.
Even with the adversity, rescue teams are counting on snowfall that started on Wednesday morning to aid in containment efforts. “We are hoping that snow, which started to fall this morning, will help,” a city official said.
Damage and Evacuation Efforts
A minimum of 84 structures have been damaged, and officials are still evaluating the extent of damage. By Tuesday evening, nearly 4,000 people had heeded evacuation orders.
To aid evacuees, local companies have come forward to provide relief. Toyoshige Shida, the proprietor of Ofunato Onsen, a hot spring inn, opened his facility for free.
“Not being able to bathe yourself on top of dealing with the chaos of life in a shelter definitely wears you down,” said Shida, 60. He constructed the inn after seeing the hardships faced by survivors after the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 that claimed 340 lives alone in Ofunato.
Severe Weather Patterns and Climate Change
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record last year, with climate change contributing to rising global temperatures. Wildfires, though less frequent than in the 1970s, remain a concern, with around 1,300 reported in 2023. Most occur between February and April when dry conditions and strong winds create ideal conditions for fire spread.
Greg Mullins, a former commissioner of fire and rescue in New South Wales, Australia, observed that winter blazes, including those in Los Angeles and Japan, are on the rise with climate changes.
“In both cases the fires were preceded by hot summers, which increased evaporation and drying of vegetation, followed by large rainfall deficits that parched the landscape,” Mullins stated. He cautioned that with increasing global temperatures, more surprise wildfires can be expected in areas that were not previously affected.
This is a typical side effect of climate change that is being experienced globally. As the world continues to warm, we can anticipate seeing fires in areas where they have never been an issue before.”
Support and Donations Pour In
As a gesture of solidarity, Japanese baseball sensation Roki Sasaki, who recently signed up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributed 10 million yen ($67,000) and 500 sets of bedding to support victims of the disaster.
Sasaki, who went to high school in Ofunato, has a special affinity for the area, having lost his father and grandparents during the 2011 tsunami. His donation seeks to bring relief to those currently experiencing another disaster.
Outlook and Next Steps for Japan
As snow and rain are predicted, authorities are optimistic that weather conditions will help firefighting efforts. But experts warn that further climate changes may turn such catastrophes into more regular occurrences in the future.
While emergency workers fight the blaze, residents who have been hit by the disaster wait anxiously for updates, hoping for an early end to the destruction that has turned their lives upside down.
