Forest fires are raging in a coastal area of Iwate Prefecture in Japan

Forest fires are raging in a coastal area of Iwate Prefecture, Northeastern Japan.

The fires in Ofunato City, which started on Wednesday, are still burning despite frantic efforts to put them out.  City authorities announced that as of 6 A.M. local time on Saturday, approximately 1,400 hectares had been burned. That’s up from around 1,200 hectares announced a day before.

On Thursday, a body believed to be that of a man was found. Police are trying to confirm the cause of his death.  At least 84 buildings are believed to have been damaged. However, a full assessment of the destruction is expected to take time, as firefighting efforts continue.

Authorities issued evacuation orders to three more districts on Saturday morning. Now nearly 4,600 people in around 1,900 households are being urged to evacuate.