Firefighters Battle Big Blaze Near Otsuchi Town

The wildfires in Iwate Prefecture have grown into a serious threat, with flames now close to homes in Otsuchi. The first blaze started on Wednesday afternoon in a mountain area, and two hours later another fire ignited just 10 kilometres away from the town’s residential zone. By Saturday, the fires had lasted four days and were still spreading. More than 1, 000 firefighters are on the scene. Ground crews from Iwate and other prefectures work together to fight the flames, while helicopters from several regions and Japan’s Self‑Defense Forces drop water on the hot spots. The combined effort shows how much trouble these fires have caused.The fire has scorched over 730 hectares, or about 1, 800 acres. As a result, authorities have ordered the evacuation of 1, 541 households, which means more than 3, 200 people had to leave their homes. Eight buildings, including one house, have burned down, but so far no injuries or deaths have been reported. Meteorologists say that rain is unlikely in the next week, which could keep the fires active for longer. The size of these blazes makes them the third largest wildfire in Japan’s recent history, after a 3, 370‑hectare fire in Ofunato in 2025 and the 1, 030‑hectare Kushiro fire of 1992. The situation remains tense as firefighters continue to work hard to protect residents and property from the spreading flames. Their efforts highlight how quickly wildfires can grow and the importance of quick evacuation plans.