Rain, snow offer hope in Japan's worst wildfire in 50 years

Residents hope wet weather will contain blaze that has raged for more than a week

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OFUNATO, Japan - Japan battled its worst wildfire in half a century on March 5 in a region hit by record-low rainfall, although wet weather gave hope for some relief.

The blaze around the northern city of Ofunato in the Iwate region has raged for more than a week, killing one person and forcing nearly 4,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

It has engulfed about 2,900ha - around half the size of Manhattan - making it the largest wildfire since at least 1975, when 2,700ha was razed in Hokkaido.

Columns of white smoke billowed from a mountain through the rain and snow on March 5, AFP reporters saw. More wet weather was forecast through March 6.

"The fire was like nothing I've seen before. It was towering and spreading fast," said Mr Mitsuo Otsubo, 85, who fled his home to stay with a relative.

"It didn't rain or snow at all this year... Thank goodness, it rained today, though. I can only hope it will help contain the situation," the seaweed and scallop farmer told AFP.

Japan endured its hottest summer on record in 2024 as climate change pushes up temperatures worldwide.