Evacuation orders lifted as Ofunato fire weakens, Japan
Evacuation orders were lifted for some parts of Ofunato city on March 7, 2025 as Japan’s largest fire in 50 years weakens following rains on march 5.
Japan hit by largest wildfire in over 30 years
A massive forest fire has burned approximately 1 400 ha (3 460 acres) in Akasaki Town, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, since it broke out on February 26, 2025. This is now the largest wildfire in modern Japan history, surpassing the previous record of 1 030 ha (2 545 acres) set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992.
One dead, over 80 buildings destroyed as wildfire engulfs Ofunato city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
A large forest fire broke out in the Akasakicho area, in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, on February 26, 2025, marking the third wildfire in the city this month. It left one dead, destroyed at least 84 buildings, and forced the evacuation of more than 2 100 residents.
Magnitude 7.0 hits Japan
Strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Japan at 10:57 a.m. The epicenter was 212 km (131 miles) E of Sendai, 239 km (148 miles) ENE of Iwaki, 250 km (155 miles) E of Fukushima, Honshu at depth of 18 km (11.2 miles) according to USGS. EMSC’s seismographs recorded 7.2
