Rain brings hope amid Japan’s worst wildfire in five decades

Japan continued to battle its worst wildfire in 50 years on Wednesday in a region experiencing record-low rainfall, though recent wet weather brought hope for relief. The fire near Ofunato in the Iwate region has been burning for over a week, claiming one life and forcing nearly 4,000 residents to evacuate.

Spanning approximately 2,900 hectares (7,170 acres)—about half the size of Manhattan—it is the largest wildfire since at least 1975, when 2,700 hectares burned on Hokkaido island. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. The flames were towering and spreading rapidly,” said 85-year-old Mitsuo Otsubo, who fled to stay with a relative.

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Hope Amid the Flames: Rain Brings Relief as Firefighters Battle On

“It didn’t rain or snow at all this year, but thankfully, it rained today. I just hope it helps control the situation,” said a seaweed and scallop farmer. An 86-year-old woman, who wished to remain unnamed, described the terrifying scene, saying, “I saw thick smoke rising, followed by flames. The wind was extremely strong, and I was so shocked that my heartbeat became irregular.”

On Wednesday, AFP reporters observed rain and snow falling as white smoke billowed from the mountain, with more wet weather expected through Thursday. A city official reported that firefighters had been working tirelessly through the night to contain the flames.

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Climate Change Fuels Wildfires in Japan

Japan faced its hottest summer on record last year as climate change drives global temperatures higher. While wildfire have declined since their 1970s peak, around 1,300 occurred in 2023, mostly between February and April when dry air and strong winds increase fire risks. Ofunato saw just 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) of rain in February, the lowest since 1967 and far below the usual 41-millimeter average.

Around 2,000 firefighters, including many from Tokyo, are battling the fire from the ground and air. Ofunato Mayor Kiyoshi Fuchigami acknowledged the challenges of dry weather and difficult terrain but expressed hope that snow and rain could help.

The steep, narrow roads of the coastal mountains have made firefighting efforts harder. Meanwhile, baseball star Roki Sasaki, who recently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, donated 10 million yen ($67,000) and 500 sets of bedding to his former hometown. Sasaki lost his father and grandparents in the 2011 tsunami and remains connected to the community.

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