On April 26, Japan deployed 1,400 firefighters and 100 Self-Defense Force soldiers to deal with forest fires in the northern region of the country, as the fire entered its 5th consecutive day and showed no signs of being controlled. The burned area has increased to 1,373 hectares, 7% higher than before.
The fire is threatening residential areas of the coastal town of Otsuchi, which suffered heavy damage in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. Evacuation orders have been issued for 1,541 households, equivalent to 3,233 people, accounting for about one-third of the town's population.
Otsuchi Mayor Kozo Hirano said that the Self-Defense Forces are deploying helicopters to extinguish the fire from the air, but dry weather and strong winds are causing the fire to spread. Unfavorable weather conditions are increasing difficulties in fire control.
A local resident, Mr. Yoshinori Komatsu, expressed concern about the level of destruction of the forest fire, saying that the fire could completely burn everything down. Images of helicopters continuously dropping water on the fire area show the urgent efforts of functional forces.
According to the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency, so far one case of minor injuries due to falling at the evacuation center has been recorded. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is being investigated.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that the area will not have rain in the short term, while a light rain spell may appear afterwards. Weather conditions continue to be a key factor affecting fire control capabilities.
