Japan battles largest wildfire in over 30 years, at least one dead |

Japan is grappling with its largest wildfire in more than three decades, as a blaze continues to devastate the forested area of Ofunato, a coastal city on the east coast of Japan’s main island. The wildfire, which has been burning for several days, has claimed at least one life, forced thousands of residents to evacuate, and damaged dozens of homes.

The fire, which has already burned around 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres), shows no signs of slowing down, with authorities confirming the fire expanded by an additional 400 hectares since Saturday. The fire’s rapid spread and destructive power are putting significant strain on firefighting efforts.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the blaze was first reported on Wednesday. By Wednesday night, at least 84 homes had been damaged. Authorities discovered a man’s body while inspecting the affected area on Thursday, though the identity of the deceased has not been disclosed.

As of Sunday morning, evacuation orders have been issued to approximately 4,600 people, with 1,200 residents sheltering in emergency accommodations. Firefighting efforts have been ramped up, with nearly 1,700 firefighters from 14 different prefectures dispatched to battle the fire. Helicopters have also been deployed to assist in the effort, as aerial footage showed firefighting aircraft circling above the rising smoke from the inferno.

It remains unclear how much progress has been made in containing the fire, with authorities yet to provide a full update on the extent of damage since Wednesday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This blaze is the largest forest fire Japan has faced since a 1992 wildfire in Hokkaido, which destroyed more than 1,000 hectares of land. The current fire in Ofunato is exacerbated by the region’s unusually dry weather. February 2025 was reported as the driest February in over two decades, with very little rainfall.

In addition to the Ofunato fire, smaller fires have been reported in other regions, including Yamanashi and Nagano, adding further strain to Japan’s firefighting resources.

With temperatures rising and dry conditions persisting, officials are calling for continued vigilance and cooperation from local residents as the firefighting efforts intensify. The government has also urged authorities in other prefectures to remain on high alert for potential fire outbreaks.

The wildfire has exposed the vulnerability of Japan’s forested regions to extreme fire conditions, a concern that is growing amid climate change’s increasing influence on weather patterns. Last year, Japan recorded its hottest year on record, a trend that is likely to continue if global warming remains unchecked.

As the firefighting efforts continue, the people of Ofunato and other affected areas remain in a state of uncertainty, hoping for relief from the ongoing disaster.