A wildfire in northeastern Japan came under control after 11 days, scorching 1,633 hectares of land. Local officials and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed the status on Saturday. The blaze, the second largest in over 30 years, began on April 22 in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture.
The wildfire began on April 22 in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, and burned for 11 days, scorching 1,633 hectares of land. A total of eight buildings were destroyed in the blaze, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The agency noted it as the second largest area burned in over 30 years.
"We have been notified that the situation can be designated as 'under control' after visiting the area with fire authorities," said mayor Kozo Hirano of Otsuchi. "But we will continue to be vigilant as there is a possibility that embers remain," he added.
Continuous rain in the region helped efforts, and evacuation orders were lifted earlier this week. Last year, a massive wildfire in nearby Ofunato, also in Iwate Prefecture, scorched around 3,370 hectares from late February until early April.