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Japan Battles Largest Wildfire in 30 Years, Thousands Evacuate

  • #Climate change
  • #Environment
  • #Fires and firefighters
  • #Japan
Japan Battles Largest Wildfire in 30 Years, Thousands Evacuate
story
MAR 2
Above: Smoke rising from a forest fire near Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture on Feb. 27, 2025.  Image copyright: STR/Contributor/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images
story last updated MAR 2

The Spin

Narrative A

The unprecedented scale of this wildfire highlights the increasing threat of climate change to Japan's forests, with 2023 being the country's hottest year on record and abnormally dry conditions creating perfect conditions for fire spread. Record-low rainfall and rising temperatures have created a tinderbox situation that threatens both natural resources and human settlements.

The Japan TimesGuardian

Narrative B

The current wildfire situation primarily stems from seasonal weather patterns and traditional land management practices. The February-April period historically has been prone to fires due to controlled field burning and recreational activities. The existing firefighting infrastructure and inter-prefecture cooperation systems have proven effective in protecting residential areas despite challenging conditions.

The Japan News

Metaculus Prediction


The Controversies


LOWHIGH
Status:Open
Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?
Controversy
MAR 2MAR 2

UNLIKELYLIKELY
Status:Open
Will Global Warming Be Limited to 1.5°C or "Well Below" 2°C?
Controversy
MAR 2MAR 2

Articles on this story

Japan battles largest wildfire in decades
GuardianFEB 19