TOKYO (Bernama-Kyodo): A forest fire broke out in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Sunday, with the local government requesting the dispatch of Self-Defence Forces personnel as the blaze continues to spread, Kyodo News reported.
The prefectural government said the fire in Kiryu had burnt about 2,500 square metres of woodland as of 2.30 pm local time, with no injuries confirmed so far.
Emergency services were alerted at around 11.20 am after a call reported white smoke rising from a mountainside. Firefighters and disaster-response helicopters were sent to contain the flames.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a dry air advisory was in effect for Kiryu at the time of the outbreak, and it later issued a strong wind advisory.
The site is a mountainous area several kilometres north of JR Kiryu Station. Police said no homes are nearby. -- Bernama-Kyodo
