Two forest fires continued to spread toward residential areas in a northern Japanese town on Friday, prompting authorities to expand evacuation orders to more than 3,000 people, with the blazes still uncontained, media reports said.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon in a mountainous area in Iwate Prefecture, followed by another fire about two hours later roughly 10 km (6.2 miles) away near Otsuchi town.
The wildfire continues to burn out of control, with emergency crews battling the blaze from both the ground and the air as authorities race to contain its spread.
According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, firefighters have deployed extensive resources, including aerial units, but the fire remains uncontained, fueled by challenging conditions.
The wildfire has already scorched more than 1,176 hectares (2,905 acres), prompting evacuation orders affecting 1,541 households and a total of 3,233 residents. Authorities have urged those in affected areas to remain alert as conditions continue to evolve.
The scale of the disaster places it among the largest in recent Japanese history. Reports from TBS News indicate that it is now the second-largest wildfire recorded in the country, following the devastating Ofunato wildfire 2025, which burned approximately 3,370 hectares.
Damage assessments remain ongoing, but at least seven buildings have been destroyed, including one residential property. Despite the destruction, officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far.
As the fire advanced, emergency measures intensified. One evacuation shelter was closed on Friday morning after flames approached dangerously close, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the blaze.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with firefighting operations expected to persist until the fire is fully contained.
