Major Wildfire in Japan Forces Evacuations and Claims Lives

A significant wildfire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, has been raging for six days, becoming the country's largest in three decades. As of March 3, 2025, the fire has consumed 2,100 hectares, prompting the evacuation of 4,600 residents. Nearly 1,700 firefighters, including units from Tokyo, and 16 helicopters are battling the blaze. One death has been confirmed, and 84 homes have been destroyed. The region experienced record-low rainfall in February, exacerbating the fire's spread. The disaster has evoked memories of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.