Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Japan is currently battles to contain massive wildfire considered the largest in more than three decades. The flames that have been raging since late February 2025 have scorched over 2,600 hectares, forcing thousands of residents to flee to safety.
The fire broke out in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, in northeastern Japan, approximately 500 kilometers from Tokyo. According to CNN Indonesia on March 5, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reports that the blaze has already consumed 2,600 hectares of forest.
This marks the country’s most extensive wildfire since 1975, when 2,700 hectares burned in Kushiro, located in northern Hokkaido.
Extreme weather conditions have exacerbated the disaster. Ofunato experienced an exceptionally dry winter, receiving only 2.5 mm of rainfall throughout February, far below the monthly average of 41 mm.
In addition, strong winds have accelerated the spread of flames across the mountainous terrain, which is densely populated with highly flammable pine trees.
More than 2,500 firefighters and members of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have been deployed to combat the fire. However, as of early March, authorities have yet to bring it under full control. Officials warn that unless weather conditions improve, the fire could continue to spread.
The Wildfire
The wildfire in Japan was first detected on February 26, 2025, in the forests of Ofunato, about 500 km from Tokyo. It quickly spread to residential areas, destroying more than 80 buildings and causing power outages in hundreds of homes.
By March 1, the affected area had expanded to more than 1,200 hectares. Local authorities issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents, many of whom were relocated to emergency shelters set up in schools and gymnasiums.
Four days after the fire started, aerial footage broadcast by NHK showed the charred remains of buildings and thick white smoke still billowing from the affected areas.
As of March 5, the fire had engulfed 2,600 hectares, making it the largest wildfire Japan has seen since the late 1980s.
Causes and Climate Change Concerns
Experts have pointed to several factors fueling the fire’s rapid spread, with one of the primary causes being the unusually dry conditions in northeastern Japan. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Ofunato recorded its driest winter since records began in 1946.
The combination of dry weather, strong winds, and steep terrain has accelerated the fire’s expansion. The region is also covered in coniferous trees, which are highly flammable.
Climate change has further intensified the severity of the wildfire. The year 2024 was recorded as Japan’s hottest year on record, with average temperatures rising 1.48°C compared to the 1991–2020 period. Global warming has led to drier winters and stronger winds, increasing the risk of wildfires across the country.
Impact on Residents
Beyond the destruction of thousands of hectares of land, the wildfire has had a significant impact on local residents. As of Sunday (March 2), approximately 2,100 hectares had burned, damaging at least 84 buildings.
Additionally, more than 700 homes lost power due to damage to the region’s electrical infrastructure. Thousands of residents have been displaced, with around 2,000 people ordered to evacuate the area. Over 1,200 have been relocated to emergency shelters.
The fire has also disrupted transportation services, forcing authorities to suspend train operations between Ofunato and Sanriku due to thick smoke obscuring railway tracks.
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Government Response and Firefighting Efforts
In response to the crisis, Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has ordered the deployment of all available firefighting personnel and Self-Defense Forces to contain the wildfire.
Seventeen firefighting helicopters have been dispatched to conduct aerial water drops. However, the rugged terrain and strong winds have hampered efforts to bring the fire under control. Authorities are hopeful that weather conditions will improve, with forecasts predicting rain beginning on March 6.
While officials acknowledge that fully extinguishing the fire will take time, Ishiba has assured the public that the government will take all necessary measures to minimize the wildfire’s impact on residential areas.
(Raidi/Agung)
