Wildfires that scorched forests in northern Japan, reportedly the second biggest in over 30 years, have been brought under control after 11 days, officials have said.
Hundreds of firefighters and more than 1,000 military personnel had battled the blazes since late April as they burnt around 1,600ha across the mountainous Iwate region.
The affected area is almost five times the size of New York City’s Central Park.
At least eight buildings were damaged and two people suffered minor injuries, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Thousands of people were evacuated.
Otsuchi town mayor Kozo Hirano told reporters on Saturday that he had been “informed that ... the fire had been brought under control” after visiting the area with fire officials.
He credited aerial and ground firefighting operations as well as heavy rainfall for containing the flames.
But Hirano said authorities would remain vigilant, as there was a possibility that smouldering embers remained.
Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires. — AFP
