Japan has deployed 1,400 firefighters to combat wildfires in the northern Iwate Prefecture, where two new fire hotspots have emerged, according to recent reports from Czech and Slovak news outlets citing CTK and other wire services. The fires, which began in mountainous areas near the city of Ōfunato, have prompted evacuation orders for over 3,200 residents as flames threaten residential zones and consume forested land.
Local authorities in Iwate Prefecture confirmed that the blazes, which ignited midweek, have already burned approximately 700 hectares of terrain and damaged at least eight structures. Smoke plumes from the fires were reportedly visible up to 30 kilometers away, raising air quality concerns across the region. Firefighting efforts are being supported by helicopters and ground crews working to contain the spread toward inhabited areas.
Officials had previously announced plans to mobilize more than 1,300 firefighters and 12 helicopters for Saturday operations, with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces also preparing to assist. Residents in Ōfunato expressed hope for rainfall to aid suppression efforts, though meteorologists forecast no significant precipitation in the coming days. The dry winter conditions have been cited as a contributing factor to heightened fire risk in the region.
This incident follows a devastating wildfire in Ōfunato last year, which Japanese authorities described as the worst in over half a century. That blaze, which also occurred in Iwate Prefecture, burned extensive forest areas and led to widespread evacuations. Experts note that increasingly dry seasonal patterns are elevating wildfire dangers across parts of northern Japan.
Emergency response teams continue to monitor the situation closely, focusing on protecting lives and property while working to fully contain the active fire fronts. Updates on containment progress and evacuation status are expected from local disaster management agencies in the coming days.