1 dead, thousands flee as Japan’s biggest wildfire in decades continues to rage
Japan is battling its largest wildfire in over three decades, which has already consumed at least 2,100 hectares and resulted in one death. The fire, located near Ofunato in Iwate prefecture, has destroyed at least 84 buildings and forced the evacuation of nearly 4,600 residents. Over 1,700 personnel have been deployed to combat the blaze, with the disaster management agency requesting additional support.
The fires, which mark the fourth such incident in northeast Japan since February 19, are being attributed to an unusually dry winter on the country's east coast, a consequence of erratic weather patterns. Experts like Kevin Short note the stark contrast between heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side and the virtually nonexistent precipitation in eastern regions, leaving trees extremely dry and susceptible to fire.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Japan is battling its largest wildfire in over three decades, which has already consumed at least 2,100 hectares and resulted in one death. The fire, located near Ofunato in Iwate prefecture, has destroyed at least 84 buildings and forced the evacuation of nearly 4,600 residents. Over 1,700 personnel have been deployed to combat the blaze, with the disaster management agency requesting additional support.
The fires, which mark the fourth such incident in northeast Japan since February 19, are being attributed to an unusually dry winter on the country's east coast, a consequence of erratic weather patterns. Experts like Kevin Short note the stark contrast between heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side and the virtually nonexistent precipitation in eastern regions, leaving trees extremely dry and susceptible to fire.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
