Ofunato City, located in Iwate Prefecture, is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating forest fire, which ignited on February 26, 2025. One week later, as of March 5, the fire has spread to approximately 2900 hectares, including significant damage to residential areas, and has left thousands displaced.
The fire, still not contained, has prompted emergency response efforts from firefighters across the Tohoku region, working tirelessly against the blaze’s rapid advance. Initial reports indicated the loss of at least 84 residential buildings, affecting families who had only recently rebuilt their lives after the Great East Japan Earthquake fourteen years ago. Many of these residents now find themselves once again relying on evacuation centers as the fire rages.
Masayuki Usui, Chief Fire Command of the Sendai City Fire Bureau, was part of the first team dispatched to the site. Arriving shortly after 10:30 PM on February 26, Usui described the scene as “shocking,” with flames visible against the darkened sky, reminiscent of large bonfires. He and approximately 40 firefighters focused on combating the fire threatening the Ryori district. Thankfully, the team managed to largely extinguish the flames by 10 AM on February 27, 2025.
Despite this initial success, the devastation continued. By February 28, Usui's team had moved to the Attari district, where they remained until March 1. The firefighters experienced significant setbacks as new hot spots emerged even after moments of containment. “Just when you think it’s under control, it reignites,” Usui remarked. Conditions on the ground have only complicated efforts; heavy winds and dry foliage, particularly trees like cedar and pine high in oil content, have dramatically accelerated the fire’s spread.
Meanwhile, local authorities have issued evacuation orders concerning nearly 1896 households and about 4596 individuals, most of whom have been forced to seek refuge either at evacuation centers or with relatives. The emotional and psychological toll has been considerable, particularly for those who lived through the devastation of 2011, with many remaining unsure of the fate of their homes.
Reportedly, rain began to fall for the first time on this calamity on March 5, raising hopes for controlling the wildfire. The Morioka Local Meteorological Observatory has projected up to 50mm of additional rainfall by March 6.
Hopes for containment were echoed by Chizuko Takahashi, the former member of the House of Representatives and acting head of the Japanese Communist Party's disaster response unit. On March 2, Takahashi visited the affected areas along with local party officials to assess the situation. Sadly, Takahashi relayed the grim news of how homes rebuilt after the earthquake have now been consumed by flames, adding urgency to calls for support and donations for the victims.
Communists and other local leaders have rallied to raise awareness, soliciting donations from the community to aid those impacted by the fire. For many residents, the crisis has compounded existing hardship, as many had just begun to recover from their earlier losses.
Local resident and businesswoman, who chose to contribute to the fundraising effort commented, “My heart aches watching the news, knowing the struggle of those whose homes and lives are once again disrupted.”
Overall, reports indicate the first substantial rainfall since the fire's outbreak has helped alleviate some urgency, yet the magnitude of damage remains unquantified, and fears persist about the potential for subsequent flare-ups.
The relentless fire has proven to be far more significant than any initial expectations, leaving firefighters on the brink of exhaustion and communities fearing for their safety and livelihoods. Little by little, the task of re-establishing normality will likely be slow, and it is clear, much work remains before these communities can recover.
Through this relentless time, as firefighters continue their efforts alongside local and regional support teams, the residents of Ofunato exhibit remarkable resilience, working together as they confront this disaster head-on.