Japan's biggest forest fire in 50 years, thousands evacuated

A devastating forest fire has been raging in Ofunato, Japan, for a week, becoming the largest wildfire in the country in half a century. As of March 5, the fire had spread across 7,170 hectares, surpassing Japan’s previous largest forest fire in 1975, which destroyed 2,700 hectares in Hokkaido.

Japan's largest wildfire in decades

Authorities confirmed one death and ordered the evacuation of nearly 4,000 residents. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze, but difficult terrain, dry weather, and strong winds make their task challenging.

Residents caught in the disaster described the wildfire as unlike anything they’ve witnessed.

“I’ve never seen a fire like this before,” said 85-year-old farmer Matsu Otsubo to AFP. “The flames were very high and spreading quickly. It hasn’t rained or snowed this whole year, but thankfully, it rained today. I hope the situation is brought under control now.”

An 86-year-old anonymous resident recounted the terrifying moment she saw the fire. “First, I noticed a lot of smoke, then I saw the flames. The strong wind made everything worse. My heart was racing.”

On Wednesday, AFP correspondents in Ofunato reported white smoke rising from the mountains amid rain and snow. More rain is forecast for Thursday, raising hopes it will help firefighters gain control.

A government official told AFP on Wednesday that firefighters had been working “all night” to put out the blaze. “It started snowing this morning, and we hope that will help,” he said.

2,000 firefighters are on ground

Currently, about 2,000 firefighters are on the ground, including teams from Tokyo and other parts of Japan. Firefighting aircraft have also been deployed to douse the flames from the air.

Despite these efforts, the fire has damaged at least 84 buildings. Officials warn the number may rise with more assessments in the coming days.

A major challenge in fighting the blaze is the record-low rainfall in Ofunato this year. The city received only 2.5 millimeters of rain in February, the lowest on record. The previous record low was 4.4 millimeters in 1967, while the average for the month is 41 millimeters.

The severe drought has made the landscape extremely dry, allowing the fire to spread rapidly. Mayor Kiyoshi Fuchigami addressed reporters, saying, “The fact that teams of firefighters are being reinforced every day, and that the fire has been going on for a week, shows how dry the weather is and the difficulties we are facing.”

The region’s mountainous terrain and narrow roads have made it harder for firefighters to access the burning areas, complicating efforts to contain the blaze.

Is climate change to blame?

Experts believe the wildfire in Japan is linked to climate change. Greg Mullins, former fire and rescue commissioner for New South Wales, Australia, told AFP that this fire, along with recent wildfires in Los Angeles, is “highly unusual” because it occurred in winter. He explained that both regions experienced extreme heat and drought before the fires, which dried out vegetation and made the landscape highly flammable.

“This is a common climate change that is being seen worldwide,” Mullins warned. “As the planet warms, we can expect fires in new areas.”

Japan recorded its hottest summer ever in 2023, with rising temperatures increasing wildfire risk. While the total number of wildfires has declined since the 1970s, there were still about 1,300 in 2023, mostly between February and April, when the air is dry and winds are strong.

Support and relief efforts

Amid the devastation, Japanese baseball star Roki Sasaki has stepped in to support the victims. Recently joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sasaki pledged to donate 10 million yen ($67,000) and provide 500 beds to those affected by the fire.

Sasaki has a personal connection to Ofunato—he attended high school there after losing his father and grandparents in the 2011 tsunami. His contribution has been praised as an example of giving back to his hometown in a crisis.

Authorities remain hopeful that continued rainfall and firefighting efforts will help control the fire soon. However, officials warn residents to stay cautious and prepared for further evacuations.

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