Japan Battles Largest Wildfire in Decades with Thousands Evacuated
A massive fire in Ofunato has burned 2,100 hectares, destroyed dozens of homes, and prompted over 4,600 people to evacuate as dry weather fuels its spread.
- The wildfire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, has consumed 2,100 hectares of land, making it Japan's largest in over 30 years.
- At least 84 homes have been damaged or destroyed, with more than 4,600 residents under evacuation advisories and 1,200 taking refuge in shelters.
- One fatality has been reported, with authorities investigating whether the death is directly linked to the fire.
- Unusually dry winter conditions, record-low rainfall, and strong winds have exacerbated the fire's spread, with experts citing climate change as a contributing factor.
- Over 2,000 firefighters and military personnel, supported by helicopters, are working to contain the blaze, with snow and rain expected to provide relief later this week.
South China Morning Post 
Al Jazeera 
The Japan Times 
The Guardian 
UPI 
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 
