Japan brings huge wildfire under control, says mayor

Japan's worst wildfire in more than half a century, which killed at least one person, has been brought under control, the mayor of the northern city of Ofunato said on Sunday.

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The fire had raged in the mountains around the rural region since Feb.26, killing at least one person, damaging at least 210 buildings and forcing more than 4,200 residents to flee their homes, local officials said.

“Following an aerial survey, we assessed that the fire no longer posed the risk of further spread. I declare that the fire is now under control," Ofunato Mayor Kiyoshi Fuchigami told a news conference.

The fire engulfed about 2,900 hectares--around half the size of Manhattan -- making it Japan's largest in more than 50 years.