As per reports, two fires broke out in succession in a forest area in Otsuchi Town in Iwate Prefecture on Wednesday (22 April) afternoon. The following are additional details:

• Around 1355 hours (local time), the first fire broke out in the Kozuchi district, about eight kilometers northwest of Otsuchi Station on the Sanriku Railway. Reports indicate that five buildings, including houses and barns, were burned, as well as approximately nine hectares of forest.
• Around 1620 hours (local time), the second fire occurred about one kilometer southwest of Kirikiri Station on the Sanriku.
• Currently, it is unknown whether the two fires are related or not.
• Around 2000 hours (local time), Otsuchi town issued evacuation orders for residents on the mountain side (east side) of the old National Route 45 in Kirikiri 1, 2 and 3. Approximately 130 people have been evacuated and there are no reports of injuries yet.
• The town has currently opened evacuation centers at Shiroyama Park Gymnasium, Kozuchi District Multipurpose Community Center and Kirikiri Gakuen Elementary School.