Japan Deploys Nearly 1,700 Firefighters to Combat Forest Blaze

TOKYO, March 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Nearly 1,700 firefighters are currently battling Japan’s largest forest fire in three decades, as authorities continue efforts to contain the blaze in the northern Iwate region. As of Monday, around 4,600 residents remain under evacuation advisories.

The fire, which has been raging since Thursday near the city of Ofunato, has already consumed approximately 2,100 hectares (4,450 acres) of land. Tragically, one fatality was reported last week in connection with the blaze. The fire follows record low rainfall in the region and comes after Japan experienced its hottest summer on record in 2024.

Firefighters from 14 regions across Japan, including Tokyo, have been deployed to the area, while 16 helicopters, some of which are military assets, are assisting in efforts to extinguish the flames.

By Sunday, the fire had reportedly damaged 84 buildings, although authorities are still in the process of assessing the full extent of the destruction. As the fire continues to spread, around 2,000 people have evacuated to stay with family or friends, while over 1,200 individuals have been relocated to shelters.

Footage from early morning broadcasts by national broadcaster NHK showed towering orange flames near residential buildings, with thick, white smoke billowing into the sky.

The number of wildfires in Japan has decreased since the peak of the 1970s, according to government statistics, yet around 1,300 wildfires were recorded across the country in 2023, particularly during the dry and windy months from February to April.

In February, Ofunato recorded just 2.5 millimetres of rainfall, the lowest February total on record, far below the usual average of 41 millimetres and well below the previous record low of 4.4 millimetres set in 1967.

Related Context:

This massive wildfire comes after a period of extreme weather conditions in Japan, exacerbated by climate change. The scorching summer of 2024 contributed to droughts and low rainfall in many areas, making them more vulnerable to fires. The fire in Iwate is just one of several natural disasters Japan has faced in recent years, including flooding and typhoons, prompting increased discussions about climate resilience and disaster preparedness across the nation. Local officials and environmental groups are now calling for enhanced measures to address the growing risk of wildfires and other natural disasters in the future.