Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, lifted its evacuation orders for some of its wildfire-hit areas at 10 a.m. on Friday.



The lifting of the orders came for the first time since the blazes began in the city on February 26.



Evacuation orders issued for 957 residents of 415 households in six areas of Akasakicho district have now been lifted.



Chiba Yoshimatsu, who lives with four other family members in one of the areas, returned to his home for the first time in six days. The 73-year-old said he was relieved to find that the house was undamaged, but expressed regret that there are still others who are taking shelter or have lost their homes.



The orders are still in place for some areas of Akasakicho and Sanrikucho districts. A total of 3,639 residents of 1,481 households, or 11 percent of the city's population, remain in evacuation facilities.



The fires have so far destroyed about 2,900 hectares, or 9 percent, of the city's land area. The intensity of the blazes has now diminished.



City officials said that, while no further outbreaks of fire have been confirmed, it is impossible to say if the flames have been fully suppressed. They added that extinguishing work continues while checking for heat sources beneath fallen trees or in the soil.



The officials told reporters on Friday morning that they will consider lifting the remaining evacuation orders while watching for further outbreaks, as well as checking the condition of vital infrastructure.