Japan Is Being Ravaged By Its Worst Wildfires In 50 Years, Forcing Thousands Of People To Evacuate
The wildfires also come after Japan experienced its hottest summer on record in 2024, with rising global temperatures from climate change making extreme weather events more likely.
Japan is battling its worst wildfire in half a century, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The wildfire began on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the northeastern part of Japan, particularly near the city Ōfunato, with the area getting record low rainfall.
The exact cause of the wildfire is still unknown, but it happened after Japan's northeastern region had its driest winter since 1946.
In February, the area got only 2.5 millimeters of rain, much lower than the usual 41 millimeters.
The wildfires also come after Japan experienced its hottest summer on record in 2024, with rising global temperatures from climate change making extreme weather events more likely.
By Tuesday, March 4, the fire had spread to cover approximately 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres) of land, making it the biggest wildfire since 1975, according to Japan Times.
The blaze has damaged at least 80 homes and forced nearly 4,000 people to evacuate.
More than 2,000 firefighters and Japanese soldiers are working to contain the fire, which is believed to have become less intense in some areas, AP reported.
National broadcaster NHK aired a video showing intense orange flames near buildings and thick white smoke rising.
Snow is forecasted to start Tuesday night, followed by rain, but it’s unclear if this will help put out the fire, according to Voice of America.
Even though wildfires in Japan have become less common since the 1970s due to its humid climate, there were around 1,300 wildfires in 2023, mostly between February and April when the weather is dry and windy, according to Japan Times.
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