Tokyo: Local authorities reported today that over 80 homes have been destroyed and approximately 2,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate following a wildfire that erupted in a northeastern city of Japan. This incident marks the third fire in the region within a week.
The fire, which began yesterday, has consumed around 600 hectares of land in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, according to the municipal government.
Firefighting operations continued throughout the night, and in the morning, helicopters from the Self-Defence Forces were deployed to assist in aerial firefighting efforts, as reported by the Japan news agency (Kyodo).
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has requested emergency assistance from 680 personnel across firefighting departments in six neighboring prefectures.
Local officials indicated that 500 homes in Ofunato are currently without electricity, and a portion of a train line in the city has been temporarily suspended.
