Wildfires continue in two prefectures of Western Japan

Wildfires continue in two prefectures of western Japan on Tuesday, forcing some residents to evacuate. One of them broke out on Sunday in Imabari City. 

The city said that as of 7:20 A.M. local time on Tuesday, the fire had burned at least 214 hectares. That makes it the largest forest fire in the prefecture since 1989. City officials said they have received no reports of damage to buildings.

Firefighters are conducting ground-based operations, while helicopters from the prefecture and the Self-Defense Forces have been deployed to battle the blaze from the air. The city has issued evacuation orders for 1,079 people from 553 households. The neighboring city of Saijo has also issued such orders.