MORIOKA Japan – A raging wildfire in northern Japan has claimed one life, destroyed over 80 buildings, and forced hundreds to flee, officials confirmed Thursday.
The inferno, which broke out in the forested areas of Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, prompted military helicopters to battle the spreading flames from above.
Dramatic aerial footage from NHK captured the blaze, which reduced homes to skeletal remains.
Authorities reported discovering a burned body, while nearly 600 residents were evacuated as the fire scorched approximately 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of land—three times the size of Monaco.
Ofunato Mayor Kiyoshi Fuchigami described the disaster as “large-scale” but said the cause remains unknown.
Dry conditions and strong winds fueled the fire’s rapid spread. The region has received only 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) of rainfall this month, putting it on track for record-low precipitation.
Meanwhile, Japan experienced its hottest year on record in 2023, with climate change intensifying wildfire risks.
Residents described the harrowing ordeal, with one evacuee recalling how flames neared her home as she returned from work. “I was relieved that my kids were safe,” she told the media.
Another, witnessing multiple blazes ignite in quick succession, admitted, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Authorities continue efforts to contain the wildfire as investigations into its origins proceed.