Forest fires are raging in a coastal area of Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan.



The fires in Ofunato City, which started on Wednesday, are still burning despite frantic efforts to put them out.



City authorities announced that as of 6 a.m. on Saturday, approximately 1,400 hectares had been burned. That's up from around 1,200 hectares announced a day before.



On Thursday, a body believed to be that of a man was found. Police are trying to confirm the cause of his death.



At least 84 buildings are believed to have been damaged. However, a full assessment of the destruction is expected to take time, as firefighting efforts continue.



Authorities issued evacuation orders to three more districts on Saturday morning. Now nearly 4,600 people in around 1,900 households are being urged to evacuate.



As of 7 a.m., a total of 1,033 people were reportedly taking shelter at evacuation centers in the city.



Windy conditions have been forecast to continue toward the evening amid dry weather.



Firefighting squads are battling the flames to stop them spreading farther, while helicopters of the Self-Defense Forces and the prefectural government are dropping water and surveying the situation from the air.