Wednesday 26 March 2025 09:19 GMT

Wildfires Ignite in Western Japan


(MENAFN) Authorities in two western Japanese regions issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents on Monday as wildfires continued to spread despite overnight firefighting efforts.

Local governments in Okayama and Ehime provinces instructed around 2,800 people to leave their homes, while military helicopters joined the efforts to contain the fires, responding to requests from local officials, as reported by a Japanese news agency.

A video aired on a Japanese public broadcaster, showed a Self Defense Forces helicopter releasing water on a forested area ravaged by the fire, with massive plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.

The wildfires, which began on Sunday in Okayama, have consumed approximately 250 hectares of land in both the cities of Okayama and Tamano. Meanwhile, the blaze in Ehime had spread to 119 hectares in Imabari by Monday.

Many homes in Okayama have been destroyed by the flames, based on local authorities. However, no injuries have been reported in any of the affected regions.

MENAFN24032025000045017167ID1109348166


Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Search