Strong winds whip up western Japan wildfires, eight buildings already destroyed

As at March 25, the fire in Ehime had burned more than 214ha in Imabari, engulfing six houses and two warehouses. -- PHOTO: AFP

MATSUYAMA (Japan) (Bernama-Kyodo): Strong winds intensified out-of-control wildfires in two western Japan prefectures on Wednesday, leaving at least eight buildings destroyed, according to Kyodo News.

As of Tuesday, the fire in Ehime had burned more than 214 hectares in Imabari, engulfing six houses and two warehouses. Meanwhile, in Okayama Prefecture, approximately 310 hectares have burned in the cities of Okayama and the neighboring Tamano.