Nishijo City in Ehime Prefecture has issued evacuation orders to hundreds of residents following a serious forest fire that originated in Imabari City. On March 23, 2025, the city responded to the alarming situation by declaring a level four evacuation (警戒レベル4) for the Kashi River area, affecting 792 households and 1,506 individuals.
The incident began earlier that day, around 4:00 PM, when a forest fire broke out in the Nagasawa region of Imabari City. As the flames engulfed the area, fire crews struggled to contain the blaze, with concerns escalating as the fire continued to spread. By 8:40 PM, Imabari City issued a similar evacuation order for 219 households, impacting 381 residents in the Nagasawa area, reflecting the severity of the situation and the immediate safety concerns for residents.
Local authorities have emphasized the urgency of the evacuations, urging residents to move away from dangerous areas as the fierce fire endangered lives and property. The lack of containment combined with shifting winds posed a significant challenge for firefighting efforts. City officials in Imabari stated that their firefighting teams and additional resources were deployed but reported no current expectations for extinguishing the flames.
As the forest fire raged on, the situation prompted further action from local and regional authorities. NEXCO West Japan announced they had closed the Imabari Yuno Ura Interchange to the Toyotanbara IC of the Imabari Komatsu Expressway, affecting traffic and travel in the area as of around 4:50 PM on that same day. Meanwhile, JR Shikoku notified passengers that operations between Imabari Station and Iyo-Saijo Station would be suspended starting at approximately 9:00 PM, with the potential for further disruptions on March 24, 2025.
Concern extended beyond Imabari City, as a separate fire erupted around 3:00 PM in Akura, Okayama Prefecture. This incident led to the issuance of evacuation advisories for roughly 400 households in the Akura and Miyauchi districts. City officials confirmed that they had yet to receive any reports of injuries connected to the Akura fire, however, the intensity of both situations underscored the risks posed by such wildfires.
In these critical times, the Ehime Prefectural Government has even requested assistance from the Self-Defense Forces, illustrating the desperate measures being taken to combat the fires and protect citizens. The situation was still evolving late into the night, with firefighters continuing to battle the intense flames while officials kept issuing updates on the threats posed by rapid fire spread.
The fires not only pose a direct risk to lives but also threaten the environmental integrity of the regions affected. Fire departments urge residents to stay informed through official channels, calling attention to the importance of following evacuation orders diligently for their own safety.
Furthermore, the time of these evacuations reflects not only a concern for immediate safety but also planning for potential long-term repercussions of fires on air quality and natural landscapes. Local health authorities remind residents to be vigilant about smoke inhalation and hindered visibility on roadways due to the ongoing combustion and smoke development.
Onlookers and local residents expressed their worries as the fire blazed in the distance, capturing the dramatic, yet alarming, spectacle of nature's power. "We hope the fire crews can control this soon, as it’s been causing great distress to everyone in the area," remarked one witness, raising concerns over the psychological toll such disasters impose on community members.
As residents anxiously await news on fire containment, the full extent of damages and the impact on their livelihoods remain to be seen. Local and regional teams remain on standby, ready to respond swiftly to any escalation in the fire activity. In these uncertain times, it becomes paramount for community members to unite in support of one another and trust in the emergency services safeguarding their collective wellbeing.
The situation in Imabari City and surrounding areas continues to develop, with firefighters striving against the elements as local governments implement their emergency response protocols. Stakeholders urge everyone's cooperation in minimizing risks, keeping safety a priority and remaining ready to evacuate when necessary. Updated information directly affects community safety, and reliance on trustworthy local sources is vital as the days ahead unfold in this unpredictable crisis.
