Two wildfires are tearing through a community in Japan

Two wildfires are tearing through a community in northeastern Japan. Local authorities are now receiving help from elsewhere. The fires broke out on Wednesday in Otsuchi Town. One started in a mountainous area and the other about 10 kilometers southeast. Local officials said about 1,000 firefighters will be deployed, including from other prefectures.

Authorities have told 3,233 residents, or about a third of the population, to evacuate. They have also set up five shelters, while another has opened in the neighboring city of Kamaishi. Eight buildings have burned, including one house. Town officials said the fires span about 1,176 hectares, based on aerial analysis. Images confirmed that about 730 hectares had been scorched as of Friday.