Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Northern Japan as Thousands Flee Homes

Amman: More than a thousand firefighters in northern Japan are battling two major wildfires for a fifth day, as flames edge closer to residential areas and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. According to Oman News Agency, the first fire broke out in a mountainous area, followed by a second blaze spreading to a neighboring region, threatening homes in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, according to news reports. Mountainous terrain, dry weather, and strong winds are hampering efforts to contain the fires and slowing progress, a fire department official said. Around 1,600 firefighters, along with Self-Defense Forces personnel, have been deployed to bring the blazes under control and prevent them from reaching more residential areas, the official added.