Japan contains one of its biggest wildfires in decades after 11-day battle

TOKYO: A large wildfire that swept through forested areas in northern Japan has been brought under control after an 11-day firefighting operation, officials said.

The blaze burned about 1,600 hectares, or 4,000 acres, in the mountainous Iwate region after breaking out in late April. The affected area is nearly five times the size of New York City’s Central Park.

Hundreds of firefighters and more than 1,000 military personnel were involved in efforts to contain the fire. Authorities said at least eight buildings were damaged, while two people sustained minor injuries, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Thousands of residents were evacuated as the fire intensified.

Mayor says fire has been contained

Otsuchi town mayor Kozo Hirano told reporters on Saturday that he had been “informed that… the fire had been brought under control” after visiting the affected area with fire officials.

He said aerial and ground firefighting efforts, along with heavy rainfall, helped stop the spread of the flames. However, Hirano also said authorities would stay alert because smouldering embers could still remain.

Among the largest wildfires in decades

Kyodo News described the incident as Japan’s second-largest wildfire in more than 30 years.

Increasingly dry winters have heightened the risk of wildfires in the country. Last year, Iwate experienced another wildfire that burned 2,600 hectares, which was the largest in Japan since 1975. In that year, 2,700 hectares were scorched in Kushiro on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Scientists have long warned that climate change driven by human use of fossil fuels will make drought periods longer and more severe, creating conditions that are more favourable for wildfires.