Forest Fires In Imabari Prompt Evacuations And Disrupt Power Across Region

Forest Fires in Imabari Prompt Evacuations and Disrupt Power Across Region

Emergency services respond to the largest forest fire in Ehime Prefecture as thousands are affected by evacuations and power outages.

On March 25, 2025, at 1:15 AM, large buildings were confirmed to be ablaze in Nagasawa, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. As of this moment, the local fire department has reported no injuries among residents. However, the area is currently under evacuation orders due to a forest fire that broke out in the afternoon of March 23, leaving residents on edge.

In response to the escalating situation, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, on March 25 at 5:10 PM, requested the deployment of the 'Emergency Fire Support Team' from Kagawa Prefecture. The team comprises 20 units and a total of 69 personnel hailing from nine fire departments within the prefecture. This team is set to convene in Kanonji City on the evening of March 25 before heading to assist in the firefighting efforts.

Adding to the challenges, Imabari City experienced a significant power outage that impacted approximately 160,000 households after noon on March 25. The outage, which was reported around 12:35 PM, is attributed to a substation in Kamitoku, Imabari City, shutting down amid the fire's chaos. By 1:30 PM, the number of households without electricity had decreased to around 18,000 as restoration efforts were underway. The exact influence of the fire on the power grid remains a point of investigation.

As the forest fire continues to spread alarmingly, Imabari City issued a new evacuation order for 83 households and 152 residents in the Asakura Minami Otsuno district at 1:10 AM on March 26. Authorities are emphasizing the urgent need for residents to comply with the orders to ensure their safety.

In light of the ongoing crisis, local sports events have also faced disruptions. FC Imabari was set to compete against J2's Tokushima Vortis in the first round of the J-League Cup on March 26 within Imabari City. However, due to the persistent forest fire, the J-League has officially announced the cancellation of the match. A new date for the event has yet to be determined. FC Imabari’s president, Masafumi Yano, addressed the situation on the club's website, stating, “As many people in the community are experiencing anxious times, we debated whether holding the match would provide courage and hope. Ultimately, we arrived at this decision.”

The firefighting efforts and emergency responses continue as local authorities strive to address the safety of affected residents and tackle the significant environmental crisis unfolding in Imabari. The coming days will be critical as both conditions evolve and local communities rally to support one another during this challenging time.