Wildfires spread towards northern Japan town / Photo: STR - JIJI PRESS/AFP
-
South Africa's migrant exodus leaves employers short-handed
-
As Zimbabwe's raw lithium ban pays off, ambitions grow
-
US holds fire against Iran as reports emerge of stockpile concerns
-
German manhunt after deadly car ramming near Berlin Gay Pride
-
Marvel announces 'Black Panther III' at Comic-Con
-
Vienna's venerable vineyard taverns forced to move with the times
-
Will heatwaves push European holidaymakers to 'coolcations'?
-
Thousands crowd shelters as wildfires force exodus in France, Spain
-
Messi-less Miami win on Casemiro debut, Berterame suffers head blow
-
Burnham offers sweeteners, hopeful vibes in first week as UK PM
-
German police hunt suspect after deadly car ramming near Berlin Gay Pride
-
'The Odyssey': Christopher Nolan's latest cultural phenomenon
-
US Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady as inflation swirls
-
'Star Trek' celebrates 60th anniversary at Comic-Con
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car ramming near Berlin Gay Pride event
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car attack near Berlin Gay Pride event
-
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car attack near Berlin Pride event
-
Ohtani delays throwing session over knee 'regression'
-
Hiltz extends US 1,500 streak, Lyles advances in 200
-
One killed, 15 wounded as car hits crowd near Berlin Gay Pride
-
'Difficult night' as France, Spain fires intensify again
-
Hodge, Hope give West Indies edge in rain-impacted Pakistan Test
-
Beaten Ramsay-Peaty casts doubt on future as Australia rule Commonwealth pool
-
Scheffler surges at 3M Open with blistering back nine
-
Ramsay-Peaty beaten into bronze as Australia's Williamson wins Commonwealth gold
-
Brazil's right-wing party nominates Bolsonaro son to battle Lula
-
Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end, Ukraine launches fresh strikes
-
Norris back on pole at Hungarian GP as rivals handed penalties
-
Madeleine McCann's brother targets Olympic dream after Commonwealth final
-
Close to Madrid, those who escaped flames worry what is next
-
Hamilton, Antonelli stung by grid penalties at Hungarian GP
-
Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS
-
Scotland declares 'major' wildfire in Cairngorms national park
-
Hamilton stung by three-place grid penalty
-
Spain fights to 'save lives' as wildfire evacuees shelter in Madrid
-
Howe uncertain if Guimaraes will stay with Newcastle amid Arsenal interest
-
Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers
-
Varane concussions motivate Como to ban heading in academy teams
-
49ers coach Shanahan injured in car crash
-
'Amazing' Pogacar-Del Toro friendship lights up Tour de France
-
China evacuates 340,000 people as Typhoon Noul approaches
-
Crisis-hit Flavio Bolsonaro launches presidential candidacy in Brazil
-
Norris back on pole for Mercedes at Hungarian GP
-
As wildfires grip France and Spain, what are the risks from the smoke?
-
Ukraine strikes Siberia refinery as Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end
-
Pogacar set to win Tour de France, Carapaz claims Queen stage
-
Kishan, Varma hit half centuries as India win Zimbabwe T20 series
-
India's education minister resigns, end called to Delhi protests
-
Houthis target Saudi oil as new Middle East front
Wildfires spread towards northern Japan town
Flames from raging wildfires in northern Japan were spreading towards the centre of a town Friday, with authorities urging more than 2,500 people to evacuate their homes, media reports and the government said.
As of Friday morning, fires in the mountainous areas of Iwate region had burned over 400 hectares (988 acres) since breaking out two days ago, government spokesman Minoru Kihara told reporters.
Flames could be seen encroaching on homes in Otsuchi Town as smoke billowed from a nearby forest.
Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires. A blaze that broke out in the Iwate city of Ofunato early last year was Japan's worst in over half a century.
Kihara said the flames prompted authorities to issue evacuation advisories to more than 2,500 people, and they were upping measures to extinguish the blaze, with around 700 firefighters and 13 aircraft mobilised.
As of 5:00 am on Friday, 329 residents were taking shelter, public broadcaster NHK said.
"The sound was crazy. All these cedar trees were cracking as they burned, sending flames and smoke soaring," a local firefighter told major broadcaster TV Asahi.
W.Mansour--SF-PST