Japan has arranged more than 2,000 firefighters to fight the largest forest fire in the country in three decades.
At least one person died in flames, which has extinguished more than 5,200 hectares around the northern Japanese city of Outatoa since Thursday in the northern Japanese city of Ouunato, according to the Outunato and Fire Management Agency (FDMA).
Although it is usually the smallest season from January to March, the area recorded less rain last month than any February in more than 20 years – recording only 2.5 millimeters, compared to the usual average of 41.
About 4,600 people remain under the Government’s evacuation orders, as the fire is still burning.
About 2,000 had already left the area to stay with friends or relatives, and more than 1,200 evacuated to shelters, the officials said.
Fires mountain in the forest area of prefecture Iwate, which is the second largest prefecture in Japan and has the second lowest population density in the country.
It is estimated that more than 80 buildings have been damaged so far, although the FDMA noted that details are still evaluated.
“Although it is inevitable that the fire will expand to some extent, we will take all possible measures to ensure that there will be no effect on people’s homes,” Prime Minister Shiger Ishib in Parliament said.
Thousands of firefighters from 14 prefectures, including Tokyo, have been sent to fight fire. At least 16 helicopters are also used, with pictures showing planes throwing water on a hill.
Like many other countries, Japan recorded his hottest year since the records began.
It is difficult to know whether climate change has caused or exacerbated specific fires, because other factors – such as changes in land use – are also relevant.
However, IPCC says Climate changes make the weather required to spread wild fires.
