Wildfires ravage Japan's west, thousands evacuated amid chaos

In the western Japanese regions of Ehime and Okayama, forest fires are getting out of control. According to the Anadolu Ajanci, the fire has already consumed over 600 hectares of forests, and more than 8,000 residents have been evacuated. Helicopters from the Japan Self-Defense Forces have been dispatched to aid in firefighting efforts.

The largest fire, which broke out on March 23 in Okayama prefecture, has spread to approximately 420 hectares, making it the largest disaster of its kind in the region's history. There are 11 helicopters and 67 fire trucks involved in the firefighting efforts. The fire has destroyed at least six residential and warehouse buildings, but thankfully, no casualties have been reported among the residents.

In the Ehime prefecture, in the Imabari area, the fire has already consumed about 305 hectares of forests and several buildings. The evacuation order affected nearly 6,000 people, with 158 relocating to evacuation centres. Additionally, on Tuesday, a new fire broke out in Miyazaki prefecture, spreading over an area of around 50 hectares. Seventy households were evacuated, and further evacuations may be necessary.

Another fire broke out on Tuesday near the city of Miyazaki, spreading over an area of approximately 50 hectares. The current weather conditions are not favourable for combating the fires. There is a drought in Japan, and strong winds are facilitating the spread of the fire to other areas, complicating the firefighting efforts.

NHK emphasizes that forest fires are common in Japan at this time of year. They most often occur due to bonfires where cut vegetation from gardens and fields is burned.

The current fires have appeared less than a month after the biggest disaster in three decades in Iwate Prefecture, where about 3,000 hectares of forests burned.