Japan’s Worst Wildfire in 50 Years Brought Under Control

Firefighting teams have managed to bring under control Japan’s most devastating wildfire in over a century, which has resulted in the death of at least one person, according to the mayor of Ōfunato.

Local officials stated that the fire broke out on February 26 in the mountainous rural region, claiming one life, damaging at least 210 buildings, and forcing more than 4,200 people to evacuate their homes.

During a press conference, Ōfunato Mayor Kiyoshi Fushigami announced: “Following an aerial survey, we have determined that the risk of fire spread is no longer present. I can now declare that the fire is under control.”

The wildfire has scorched approximately 2,900 hectares (7,170 acres) of land, nearly half the size of Manhattan, making it the largest in Japan in over 50 years.

The affected area surpasses that of the 1975 Hokkaidō wildfire, which burned 2,700 hectares.

The arrival of rain on Wednesday, following a record-breaking dry spell, aided firefighting efforts.

Last year, Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, as global temperatures rose due to climate change.

In February, Ōfunato received only 2.5 millimeters of rainfall, far below the previous monthly record low of 4.54 millimeters in 1967, and significantly lower than the average 41 millimeters.

The number of wildfires in Japan has declined since peaking in the 1970s.

Between February and May, the air becomes drier, and winds intensify, creating conditions favorable for wildfires.

In recent years, about 1,300 wildfires have been recorded annually.