Firefighters have searched forests surrounding the northern Japanese city of Ofunato for lingering fires and heat sources after wildfires consumed 9 percent of the city's area.
About 400 people, including members of community-based fire brigades, inspected affected areas on Sunday.
It is the first large-scale inspection since the wildfires were declared to be under control on March 9. That was 11 days after the blaze broke out.
Officials are now checking the sites in order to declare that the wildfires have been completely extinguished.
In the hard-hit Sanrikucho Ryori district, firefighters equipped with a backpack water tank and hand pump, shovels and other equipment entered a mountain forest.
The head of the fire brigade for the district, Murakami Takuji, said the wildfires scorched a large swath of land.
He said firefighters will work to extinguish any fires as soon as possible to protect residents' lives and assets.
While inspections will continue by foot, firefighters also plan to conduct aerial searches by helicopter on Wednesday and next Sunday.
About 400 people, including members of community-based fire brigades, inspected affected areas on Sunday.
It is the first large-scale inspection since the wildfires were declared to be under control on March 9. That was 11 days after the blaze broke out.
Officials are now checking the sites in order to declare that the wildfires have been completely extinguished.
In the hard-hit Sanrikucho Ryori district, firefighters equipped with a backpack water tank and hand pump, shovels and other equipment entered a mountain forest.
The head of the fire brigade for the district, Murakami Takuji, said the wildfires scorched a large swath of land.
He said firefighters will work to extinguish any fires as soon as possible to protect residents' lives and assets.
While inspections will continue by foot, firefighters also plan to conduct aerial searches by helicopter on Wednesday and next Sunday.
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Summary
Firefighters conducted large-scale inspections in Ofunato, Japan, following wildfires that consumed 9% of the city's area. This was the first comprehensive check since the fires were declared under control on March 9, 11 days after they began. The aim is to declare complete extinguishment.
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ID: fa1d7b4d-bbcf-41e5-acf4-5a2d118d9076
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250323_10/
Date: March 23, 2025
Created: 2025/03/23 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 05:21
Last Read: 2025/03/23 20:44