Fires around the world

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.
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The massive forest fire that broke out in Ofunato City on February 26 has now scorched over 2 900 ha (7 166 acres), accounting for about 9% of the city’s land area. One fatality has been reported, though details about the victim’s identity have not been made public.

The fire started at around 13:00 local time (LT) on February 26 in the Aza-Ashidachi area of Ofunato City and spread rapidly due to dry conditions in the region.

By March 7, it became Japan’s most severe wildfire since 1975, when a blaze on Hokkaido Island consumed 2 700 ha (6 672 acres). The Ofunato fire has since surpassed that, burning approximately 2 900 ha (7 166 acres) but rainfall through March 5 has helped weaken the blaze, making it easier to contain.



Evacuation orders were lifted for some areas at around 10:00 LT on March 7, marking the first time such measures were eased since the fire broke out on February 26. A total of 957 residents from 415 households in six areas of the Akasakicho district were allowed to return home.


As of 16:00 LT on March 5, the blaze had destroyed at least 78 structures. Firefighting efforts involved 550 teams from 15 prefectures, with a total of 2 040 personnel engaged in the response.

Chiba Yoshimatsu, a 73-year-old resident who lives with four family members, returned to his home for the first time in six days. He expressed relief that his house remained undamaged but lamented that many others were still in shelters or had lost their homes.


vacuation orders remain in effect for parts of the Akasakicho and Sanrikucho districts. A total of 3 639 residents from 1 481 households, representing 11% of the city’s population, are still in evacuation facilities.

City officials stated that while no new fire outbreaks have been confirmed, it is unclear whether the flames have been fully extinguished. Efforts continue to eliminate remaining heat sources beneath fallen trees and in the soil.

Officials told reporters on Friday morning that they will consider lifting the remaining evacuation orders based on fire conditions and assessments of vital infrastructure.

References: 1 岩手県大船渡市の林野火災による被害及び 消防機関等の対応状況（第２０報）- FDMA – March 7, 2025
 
A brush fire has erupted near Westhampton Beach, Long Island, in the Hamptons.

www.dailymail.co.uk

'Fast-moving' wildfire erupts in wealthy Hamptons enclave

Several wildfires have set the Hamptons ablaze as residents are forced to evacuate the area.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk
Several wildfires have set the Hamptons ablaze as residents are forced to evacuate the area.


Flames erupted along Sunrise Highway near Long Island's Riverhead and East Hampton on Saturday afternoon, according to the Eastport Fire Department.

The surrounding skies are filled with smoke and multiple fire departments have responded to the scene.

The Eastport Fire Department revealed to the DailyMail.com their entire company was out fighting the fire.

Sunrise Highway has been shut down in both directions, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Drivers who were forced to flee from the fires were seen pulled over along the road with some taking pictures.

Panicked Long Islanders have shared dramatic photos and footage of the flames and smoky skies, with one local revealing she was told by a firefighter that residents close to the blaze were being evacuated.

'Please stay clear of the areas,' Southampton police Det. Sgt. Gina Laferrera wrote in an email to Newsday.

'Additional road closures may occur due to the ever changing situation.'
 
Now it's turn of South Korea to burn

At least four people dead in South Korea's wildfires
March 23, 2025 - 9:21 AM EDT - Updated 3 hours ago

SEOUL, March 23 (Reuters) - At least four people have died and six have been injured in a series of wildfires in South Korea, as firefighters rushed to put out the fires amid dry, windy weather, the Korea Forest Service said on Sunday.
Over 9,000 staff and 105 helicopters were deployed to quell the fires engulfing areas mostly in the southeast of the country, damaging residential buildings and a temple, the authorities said.
More than 1,500 residents took shelter as the fires wiped out some 6,300 hectares (16,000 acres) of forests, Acting President Choi Sang-mok told a disaster response meeting.
 

South Korea's wildfires reignited in southeast areas overnight​


South Korean authorities are battling a wildfire that has caused the worst natural disaster in the country's history.
Wildfires reignited in the southeastern part of the country overnight, fire authorities said Saturday, adding firefighting helicopters were dispatched to extinguish them. Death toll rises to 30.
More than 36,000 hectares (88,960 acres) have been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires, which began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea’s history. About 37,000 people have been displaced, the Yonhap news agency said.
“We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,” the acting president, Han Duck-soo, told a government response meeting, adding that the high number of older victims, including those in nursing hospitals, was a particular concern.
Click to expand...
www.koreatimes.co.kr

Wildfires reignited in southeast areas overnight; death toll rises to 30

The military deployed 600 soldiers and 49 helicopters Saturday to help contain wildfires that have devastated the country's southeastern provinces, the defense ministry said....
www.koreatimes.co.kr www.koreatimes.co.kr
www.theguardian.com

South Korea wildfires become biggest on record as disaster chief points to ‘harsh reality’ of climate crisis

Officials point to ultra-dry conditions as death toll reaches 27 and fires threaten Unesco heritage sites
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 

Thailand- Forest Fire Hit Mae Hong Son District​

A devastating earthquake struck Thailand yesterday, causing widespread damage and disruption. To make matters worse, a long-lasting forest fire also broke out in Mae Hong Son district, posing a major threat to the environment and local communities.
The fires have caused air quality issues and prompted firefighting efforts. The latest reports indicate that the air quality in Mae Hong Son remains poor, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safe limits.

www.bangkokpost.com

Forest wildfires ring Mae Hong Son township

MAE HONG SON — Forest fires were still burning high on mountains ringing the provincial capital on Tuesday, with firefighters struggling to reach hot spots in very difficult terrain.
www.bangkokpost.com www.bangkokpost.com
 
Source: Army drill sparks massive wildfire in Dutch nature reserve; 330 firefighters respond

A massive wildfire raged out of control in the Veluwe near Ede, Gelderland. 3 April 2025

A massive wildfire raged out of control in the Veluwe near Ede,
Gelderland. 3 April 2025 Credit: Gemeente Ede /X -
License: All Rights Reserved

Thursday, 3 April 2025 - 19:43

A massive wildfire that was burning out of control in the east of the Netherlands was caused by an Army drill, the Dutch military and the municipality of Ede said on Thursday. Some 330 firefighters were struggling to get the wildfire under control, and an Air Force Chinook helicopter was brought in to drop water on the fire.​


"An Army unit was on an exercise and used pyrotechnics. This was done on the sand, but spread to the verge, which then caught fire," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense told ANP. The Marechausee military branch is investigating the incident, including how the fire spread so rapidly and over such a wide area.

The wildfire broke out in a forest east of Ede near the Veluwe nature reserve on Thursday afternoon, and it remained out of control six hours later. "It is now clear that the fire was started by a training unit from the Royal Netherlands Army," the military said in a statement. An NL-Alert was sent around 4:45 p.m. to residents warning of the fire near Driesprong in Ede, and the heavy smoke development.

"Due to the changing wind direction, the fire is difficult for the emergency services to get under control," the emergency services office in Gelderland-Midden said. That was also creating issues with smoke development. Firefighters began to evacuate several homes in the vicinity of the fire. "Avoid the area, stay out of the smoke, and give emergency services the space to do their work."

The military's Chinook helicopter was fitted with a Bambi Bucket, a reinforced device capable of collecting 7,600 liters of water and dumping it at a specified location. "Furthermore, there are four fire engines and an Army command vehicle ready," the military said.

The fire response was elevated to a Grip 3 regional emergency. The protocol calls for an incident commander to coordinate all responding emergency services personnel, the establishment of a command post at the scene, and meetings by regional service providers. All those involved in the response will then work with the municipality and the mayor.

"The smoke can cause sore throats, watery eyes, headaches and coughing," the emergency services office said. "The smoke can also cause shortness of breath and wheezing when breathing." Those who still have symptoms after getting out of the smoke should contact their family physician.

The Ede-Noord exit was closed on the A30 motorway in both directions. Road closures were in place on the N304 and the N224.


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There is an open air museum called the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village located to the east of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It's a re-creation of an early 20th century Ukrainian settlement village and it came under threat of an out of control grass fire yesterday (Good Friday). Dry and windy conditions fuelled the burning of a few buildings but it was mostly saved. Alberta has the highest population of Ukrainians outside of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village catches fire east of Edmonton | Globalnews.ca

RCMP said several buildings caught fire Friday at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and evacuations occurred briefly in the surrounding rural area east of Edmonton.
globalnews.ca
 
The current outbreak of wildfires in Israel seems pretty serious.

Israeli media is suggesting 'Palestinian arson' is to blame, but I doubt that a serious, coordinated campaign could be mounted in a country as heavily antagonistic towards Palestinians, and as security-conscious about their movements, as Israel is. Also, conditions are ripe for fires: dry, hot weather and strong winds.

Israel deploys troops to control massive wildfires near Jerusalem

Comment: Israeli media is telling its citizens this is the work of 'Palestinian terrorists'... Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered troops to deploy on Wednesday to support firefighters battling rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem,...
www.sott.net
 
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