Japan battles massive forest fire as hundreds evacuate

Japan is battling a large forest fire that has devastated parts of a northeastern coastal city, destroying dozens of homes and forcing over 1,200 residents to flee.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the blaze, which began on Wednesday, has scorched approximately 2,100 hectares (5,190 acres) of forest in Ofunato. 

The agency reported that “at least 84 homes have been damaged, and over 1,200 people evacuated.” While the fire has weakened in some areas, authorities remain on high alert.

CNN reports that more than 2,000 firefighters and troops have been deployed from across the country to contain the flames. 

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Meanwhile, officials are investigating the death of a man found on a road Thursday to determine whether it was linked to the fire.

The disaster comes amid Japan’s driest winter in nearly eight decades. “The northeastern regions, including Ofunato, have had their driest winter since 1946, when the Japan Meteorological Agency started collecting data,” the agency stated.

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