March 1, Mar 1 (V7N) – Japan is grappling with its largest wildfire in more than 30 years, as multiple blazes have left one person dead and forced over a thousand residents to evacuate.

Flames have scorched approximately 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) in the Ofunato forest, Iwate Prefecture, since the fire ignited on Wednesday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA).

"We are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but this is the biggest wildfire since 1992 in Kushiro, Hokkaido," an FDMA spokesperson said.

The 1992 Kushiro fire, which burned 1,030 hectares, was previously the largest wildfire recorded in Japan.

In response to the growing crisis, around 1,700 firefighters from across Japan have been deployed to combat the flames.

Aerial footage from NHK shows thick white smoke blanketing an entire mountain, worsening visibility and complicating firefighting operations.

Local authorities confirmed that one body was discovered Thursday, believed to be a victim of the fire.

Over 1,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and more than 80 buildings have sustained damage, according to the Ofunato municipality.

The cause of the wildfire remains unknown.

The Ofunato wildfire is not alone—two additional fires are currently burning in Yamanashi and another area of Iwate Prefecture.

Japan witnessed around 1,300 wildfires in 2023, mostly between February and April, when dry air and strong winds create ideal conditions for blazes.

Recent data suggests that wildfires have declined since their peak in the 1970s, but the situation remains dire.

Meteorologists highlight that Ofunato received only 2.5mm (0.1 inches) of rainfall this month, far below the previous February record of 4.4mm in 1967.

Additionally, 2024 was Japan’s hottest year on record, consistent with global warming trends fueled by rising greenhouse gas emissions.

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