Ofunato, a north-eastern coastal city in Japan, is facing forest fires that has damaged several homes
Japan is fighting a forest fire that has damaged dozens of homes, and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate in a northeastern coastal city. The fire has burned approximately 2,100 hectares (5,190 acres) of forest land in Ofunato since it started on Wednesday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The agency said at least 84 homes have been damaged, and over 1,200 people evacuated. More than 2,000 troops and firefighters were deployed from across the country. The fire has subsided in some areas.
"We're still examining the size of the affected area, but it is the biggest since the 1992 wildfire in Kushiro, Hokkaido", an agency spokesman told The Japan Times.
A man was found dead on a road last Thursday, and authorities are examining if the death was linked to the fire, the agency said.
The northeastern regions, including Ofunato, have had their driest winter since 1946, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.