Wildfire put out in Japan’s Ehime Prefecture

Wildfire put out in Japan’s Ehime Prefecture

26 August 2008

published by www.chinadaily.com.cn

Japan — The wildfire in Imabari has been put out without causing casualties or damage to properties, said reports from Matsuyama, capital of Ehime Prefecture, on Tuesday.

The conflagration, however, destroyed some 107 hectares of forest before being extinguished, said local authorities.

The municipal government of Imabari on Monday ordered the evacuation of 50 households as the blazes, which broke out in the mountainous area Sunday afternoon, spread as close as 150 meters to their homes.

Firefighters, along with 10 helicopters from the Self-Defense Forces and those from neighboring prefectures, combated the fire since it was reported to the local fire department Sunday evening.