Wildfire Destroys 5 Structures in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, Continues Spreading through Woodland

A wildfire broke out in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on Wednesday, burning at least five structures, including homes and barns, and continues to spread through the surrounding woodland. According to local police, they received an emergency call at about 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday from a resident reporting that “Fire [was] coming from a slope” in the town. Local authorities say that there have been no reports of injuries or of people becoming trapped by the fire, and the prefecture’s disaster response helicopters and other units are currently engaged in firefighting efforts.