Japan Tames One of Its Largest Wildfires in Decades After 11-Day Battle

Tokyo– One of the largest wildfires in recent decades in Japan has been brought under control after an intense 11-day firefighting effort, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The blaze swept through forested areas in Iwate Prefecture, particularly impacting Otsuchi Town, where vast stretches of land were engulfed in flames. Authorities estimate that around 1,600 hectares of land were burned during the incident, making it one of the most significant wildfires in the country in over 30 years.

Hundreds of firefighters, supported by more than 1,000 military personnel, were deployed to combat the flames from both ground and air. Officials credited coordinated firefighting operations along with timely rainfall for finally containing the fire.

Despite the scale of destruction, casualties remained limited. At least eight structures were damaged, and two individuals suffered minor injuries. However, the wildfire forced the evacuation of thousands of residents as a precautionary measure.

Local officials said the situation is now under control but warned that lingering hotspots and smouldering debris could still pose a risk. Monitoring efforts are ongoing to prevent any flare-ups.

The wildfire is being described as one of the largest in Japan in decades, underscoring growing concerns over increasing fire risks. Experts have pointed to drier seasonal conditions and the broader impact of climate change as contributing factors that are making such disasters more frequent and intense.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as recovery efforts begin in the affected areas.