Iwate Wildfire Contained, Scorching 1,600 Hectares, Second Largest in 30 Years in Japan
A wildfire in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, which burned for 11 days and scorched approximately 1,600 hectares, has been brought under control. This is the second-largest wildfire in Japan in over 30 years. Recent heavy rains and coordinated efforts by firefighters and self-defense forces were crucial in containing the blaze.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 13:53
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 3rd, comprehensive foreign wire report) Japanese authorities stated that a mountain forest fire in Iwate Prefecture has been brought under control after 11 days of fighting. This is the second-largest wildfire in Japan in over 30 years.
According to Agence France-Presse, the fire in the mountainous area of Iwate Prefecture scorched approximately 1,600 hectares of forest, an area almost five times the size of New York's Central Park. Since late April, hundreds of firefighters and over a thousand Self-Defense Force personnel have been continuously engaged in firefighting efforts.
According to statistics from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, at least 8 buildings were damaged and 2 people sustained minor injuries. Thousands of people were evacuated as the fire spread.
Otsuchi Town Mayor Kozo Hirano told the media today that after inspecting the disaster area with fire officials, he learned that "the fire has been brought under control."
Hirano pointed out that coordinated aerial and ground firefighting operations, coupled with recent heavy rains, played a crucial role in extinguishing the fire. However, he said that authorities will remain vigilant due to the possibility of smoldering embers.
According to Kyodo News, this is the second-largest wildfire in Japan in over 30 years. In recent years, increasingly dry winters have increased the risk of wildfires.
Iwate Prefecture also experienced a wildfire last year, which burned an area of 2,600 hectares, making it the largest wildfire since the 2,700-hectare fire in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1975.
Scientists continue to warn that human burning of fossil fuels leads to climate change, which makes droughts more severe and prolonged, providing flammable conditions for wildfires. (Compiler: Chi Chin-ling) 1150503
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 3rd, comprehensive foreign wire report) Japanese authorities stated that a mountain forest fire in Iwate Prefecture has been brought under control after 11 days of fighting. This is the second-largest wildfire in Japan in over 30 years.
According to Agence France-Presse, the fire in the mountainous area of Iwate Prefecture scorched approximately 1,600 hectares of forest, an area almost five times the size of New York's Central Park. Since late April, hundreds of firefighters and over a thousand Self-Defense Force personnel have been continuously engaged in firefighting efforts.
According to statistics from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, at least 8 buildings were damaged and 2 people sustained minor injuries. Thousands of people were evacuated as the fire spread.
Otsuchi Town Mayor Kozo Hirano told the media today that after inspecting the disaster area with fire officials, he learned that "the fire has been brought under control."
Hirano pointed out that coordinated aerial and ground firefighting operations, coupled with recent heavy rains, played a crucial role in extinguishing the fire. However, he said that authorities will remain vigilant due to the possibility of smoldering embers.
According to Kyodo News, this is the second-largest wildfire in Japan in over 30 years. In recent years, increasingly dry winters have increased the risk of wildfires.
Iwate Prefecture also experienced a wildfire last year, which burned an area of 2,600 hectares, making it the largest wildfire since the 2,700-hectare fire in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1975.
Scientists continue to warn that human burning of fossil fuels leads to climate change, which makes droughts more severe and prolonged, providing flammable conditions for wildfires. (Compiler: Chi Chin-ling) 1150503
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency “First-hand News” APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.