A wildfire that broke out in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture continued to spread for a second day on April 23, burning more than 200 hectares. Firefighting efforts resumed early in the morning, with the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) joining after a disaster relief request. Helicopters are also carrying out water drops, but the fire had not yet been contained as of 2 PM JST. Seven buildings, including homes, have been reported damaged.

Otsuchi wildfire at 11:31 PM, April 22.

Firefighting operations continue in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, at 7:33 AM on April 23.

According to town and prefectural authorities, the fire appears to have started at multiple locations. As of 6 AM on April 23, the burned area was estimated at about 23 hectares in the Kozuchi district and around 178 hectares in the Kirikiri district. Fire departments from across the region are conducting ground operations, while helicopters from the prefectural government and the JSDF are providing aerial support.

Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, hazy due to smoke from the wildfire, at 8:52 AM, April 23.

Emergency Response and School Closures

On April 23, the prefectural government set up a disaster response headquarters. All elementary, junior high, and high schools in Otsuchi were closed.

An evacuation shelter at Kirikiri Gakuen Elementary School in Otsuchi Town at 7:20 AM on April 23.

People look out over Otsuchi Town at 9:00 AM on April 23.

The fire first broke out around 1:50 PM on the 22nd in the Kozuchi district. About two and a half hours later, another fire started in a forested area in the Kirikiri district, roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

On the night of the 22nd, the town issued evacuation orders for 900 households, covering 1,884 people, and opened evacuation shelters. At one of the shelters, a woman in her 60s fell and suffered a jaw injury.


Wildfire site in Otsuchi at 7:40 AM on April 23 | A helicopter conducting aerial water drops in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, at 10:10 AM on April 23.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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