Forest Fire Hits Eastern And Western Regions Of Japan, The Largest In The Last 10 Years

The devastating forest fires that hit Ofunato in Iwate Prevention, northeastern Japan from February 26 to March 9, 2025. (Sanriku Photo/Wikipedia)

JAKARTA - A forest fire hit a number of mountainous areas in two prefectures in western Japan on Sunday, prompting residents to flee despite no reports of injuries, local authorities said.

In Okayama City, about 15 cars and local fire helicopters tried to extinguish the blaze, which was reported at around 3 pm local time, according to the city's fire department.

A similar incident was also reported in Imbabari, Ehime Prefecture, at around 3:55 p.m. local time. The prefectural police asked local residents to evacuate while extinguishing efforts were made.

The latest fire came after a massive fire hit Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan in late February.

About 3,000 hectares of land in the city was burned to the ground after the fire was finally extinguished after 12 days.

Residents in Okayama City were asked to evacuate as the fire approached their settlements under the foot of the mountain, while several toll roads near the fire site in Imbabari had been closed.

The two cities are still on high alert status while gathering further information.