Bangkok: Japan has deployed more than 1,400 personnel to combat two major wildfires in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, which continued to burn for a fifth day on Sunday, necessitating an intensified firefighting operation both on the ground and in the air.

According to Thai News Agency, the wildfire in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, in northeastern Japan, continued to rage for the fifth day on Sunday. More than 8,500 acres have been burned, an increase of about 7 percent from the previous day, making it the second largest wildfire in Japan's history, after the Ofunato fire which burned over 21,062 acres by 2025. Eight buildings have been destroyed, including one residential house. While there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of 3,233 people from 1,541 households, nearly a third of the town's population. More than 1,400 firefighters and 100 personnel from the Self-Defense Forces are battling the blaze both on the ground and from the air, with 12 helicopters dropping water to control the fire's spread from above. However, dry weather and strong winds are contributing factors to the rapid spread of the fire. No rain is expected on Sunday and Monday. However, there may be light rain on Tuesday, which cou ld help alleviate the situation.

Otsuchi, a coastal town severely damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, lost nearly a tenth of its population. This recent wildfire has caused significant concern among residents in the ongoing reconstruction efforts. Kozo Hirano, the mayor of Otsuchi and a key figure in the town's post-tsunami recovery, stated that it would be unacceptable for residents to lose their homes again, especially after the town was destroyed by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, forcing reconstruction on the original site and relocation of residents to higher ground for safety.