Forest Fire in Iwate, Japan Burns Over 200 Hectares; SDF Deployed as Flames Approach Homes
A massive forest fire in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan has burned over 200 hectares. Driven by strong winds, the 'crown fire' phenomenon caused rapid spread. Over 1,200 households received evacuation orders, and SDF helicopters are assisting in firefighting.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:06
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 18:31 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 18:41 (9 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 23rd) The forest fire that broke out yesterday in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan continued to burn throughout the night, with the burned area expanding to about 200 hectares as of today. In some areas, the flames approached within roughly 100 meters of residential houses. The local government has issued large-scale evacuation orders and mobilized Self-Defense Force (SDF) helicopters to join the aerial firefighting efforts.
According to reports from NHK and the Asahi Shimbun, Otsuchi Town held a press conference today, pointing out that the fires broke out in the Kozuchi and Kirikiri districts. Fanned by strong winds, the flames spread rapidly. Firefighters continued their operations all night, striving to prevent the fire from spreading to homes and facilities. Currently, a total of 7 buildings, including residential houses, have been burned down. Fortunately, no one has been reported trapped so far, though a woman in her 60s was injured after falling during evacuation.
The local government issued evacuation orders to approximately 900 households, or 1,884 people, yesterday. By 6:00 a.m. today, 219 people had evacuated to three shelters. Today, new evacuation orders were issued for areas including the Sawayama district, expanding the target to 1,229 households and 2,588 people.
According to the Kamaishi Otsuchi Regional Administrative Association Fire Department, as of 6:00 a.m. today, 178 hectares in the Kirikiri district and 23 hectares in the Kozuchi district had been burned, bringing the total burned area to over 200 hectares.
The massive fire started around 2:00 p.m. yesterday in the mountainous area of Kozuchi, about 8 kilometers northwest of the center of Otsuchi Town; by early evening, another fire broke out in the Kirikiri district, about 2 kilometers east of the town center.
As night fell, the wind intensified, and the fire continued to expand. Supporting fire brigades from surrounding areas arrived successively, with a long line of fire trucks lined up on the roads at the foot of the mountain. Local volunteer fire corps also extended water lines from fire hydrants, and firefighters sprayed water all night long.
To prevent the situation from worsening, authorities restarted ground firefighting operations early this morning, while simultaneously deploying helicopters from Iwate Prefecture and the SDF for aerial water drops. Support from places like Akita and Aomori will be added depending on the situation.
Otsuchi Town Mayor Kozo Hirano stated that the situation at the fire scene is changing rapidly. They will continue to gather information and release the latest updates to residents. He also reminded the public to be careful, noting that a "Hokkaido and Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake (Aftershock) Advisory" has also been issued, urging people to be cautious of the dual risks of fire and earthquake.
Experts analyzed that the reason for the rapid spread of the fire may be related to the "crown fire" phenomenon.
Associate Professor Yoshiya Touge of Chiba University, who is familiar with forest fires, stated that the dry climate from March to May combined with strong winds makes it easy for the fire to spread to the upper parts of the trees. Compared to a "surface fire" where fallen leaves burn on the ground, embers from a "crown fire" are more easily blown far away by the wind, leading to widespread burning.
He also warned that if multiple fires start simultaneously, firefighting forces are easily dispersed, increasing the difficulty of disaster relief, and the areas under evacuation orders may continue to change or expand. He urged the public to be prepared to evacuate at any time. (Editor: Tang Peijun) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 23rd) The forest fire that broke out yesterday in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan continued to burn throughout the night, with the burned area expanding to about 200 hectares as of today. In some areas, the flames approached within roughly 100 meters of residential houses. The local government has issued large-scale evacuation orders and mobilized Self-Defense Force (SDF) helicopters to join the aerial firefighting efforts.
According to reports from NHK and the Asahi Shimbun, Otsuchi Town held a press conference today, pointing out that the fires broke out in the Kozuchi and Kirikiri districts. Fanned by strong winds, the flames spread rapidly. Firefighters continued their operations all night, striving to prevent the fire from spreading to homes and facilities. Currently, a total of 7 buildings, including residential houses, have been burned down. Fortunately, no one has been reported trapped so far, though a woman in her 60s was injured after falling during evacuation.
The local government issued evacuation orders to approximately 900 households, or 1,884 people, yesterday. By 6:00 a.m. today, 219 people had evacuated to three shelters. Today, new evacuation orders were issued for areas including the Sawayama district, expanding the target to 1,229 households and 2,588 people.
According to the Kamaishi Otsuchi Regional Administrative Association Fire Department, as of 6:00 a.m. today, 178 hectares in the Kirikiri district and 23 hectares in the Kozuchi district had been burned, bringing the total burned area to over 200 hectares.
The massive fire started around 2:00 p.m. yesterday in the mountainous area of Kozuchi, about 8 kilometers northwest of the center of Otsuchi Town; by early evening, another fire broke out in the Kirikiri district, about 2 kilometers east of the town center.
As night fell, the wind intensified, and the fire continued to expand. Supporting fire brigades from surrounding areas arrived successively, with a long line of fire trucks lined up on the roads at the foot of the mountain. Local volunteer fire corps also extended water lines from fire hydrants, and firefighters sprayed water all night long.
To prevent the situation from worsening, authorities restarted ground firefighting operations early this morning, while simultaneously deploying helicopters from Iwate Prefecture and the SDF for aerial water drops. Support from places like Akita and Aomori will be added depending on the situation.
Otsuchi Town Mayor Kozo Hirano stated that the situation at the fire scene is changing rapidly. They will continue to gather information and release the latest updates to residents. He also reminded the public to be careful, noting that a "Hokkaido and Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake (Aftershock) Advisory" has also been issued, urging people to be cautious of the dual risks of fire and earthquake.
Experts analyzed that the reason for the rapid spread of the fire may be related to the "crown fire" phenomenon.
Associate Professor Yoshiya Touge of Chiba University, who is familiar with forest fires, stated that the dry climate from March to May combined with strong winds makes it easy for the fire to spread to the upper parts of the trees. Compared to a "surface fire" where fallen leaves burn on the ground, embers from a "crown fire" are more easily blown far away by the wind, leading to widespread burning.
He also warned that if multiple fires start simultaneously, firefighting forces are easily dispersed, increasing the difficulty of disaster relief, and the areas under evacuation orders may continue to change or expand. He urged the public to be prepared to evacuate at any time. (Editor: Tang Peijun) 1150423
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The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.