Strong winds whip up western Japan wildfires; 8 buildings lost
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As at March 25, the fire in Ehime had burned more than 214ha in Imabari, engulfing six houses and two warehouses.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO – Strong winds intensified out-of-control wildfires in two western Japan prefectures on March 26, leaving at least eight buildings destroyed.
As at March 25, the fire in Ehime prefecture had burned more than 214ha in Imabari, engulfing six houses and two warehouses.
Meanwhile, in Okayama prefecture, approximately 310ha have burned in Okayama and neighbouring Tamano.
Firefighters and Ground Self-Defence Forces (GSDF) were working to control the blazes that were first reported late on March 23 in both prefectures.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed agencies to do their utmost to contain the fire and ensure residents are safely evacuated.
Late on March 25, Ehime held a disaster response meeting to assess the spread of the fire as helicopters from the GSDF conducted 55 water drops.
Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura stressed that the “situation remains dangerous despite there being no casualties”.
Imabari has issued evacuation orders to more than 5,800 people across roughly 3,000 households, while similar orders have also been issued in Okayama and Tamano.
The latest blazes came after a massive wildfire
