Feb 27 (NHK) - Firefighters are struggling to contain a forest fire that has burned for nearly a week in Ashikaga City, north of Tokyo, with dry conditions expected to continue for at least several more days.
The fire broke out on Sunday in southwestern Tochigi Prefecture. Officials say about 106 hectares had burned as of 6 p.m. on Friday, and the fire continues to spread.
Self-Defense Force helicopters sprayed water onto the fire on Friday, as firefighters battled the blaze on the ground.
City officials said they received no reports of injuries, but flames destroyed a wooden Shinto shrine on a mountainside.
The city issued a new evacuation advisory to nearly 100 households on Friday morning. More than 300 households have been advised to evacuate.
East Nippon Expressway Company said sections of its expressway near the fire are closed.
Local weather officials issued a dry air advisory for the prefecture for an 11th straight day on Friday, saying substantial rain is unlikely before next week.
City officials said the fire is controlled to the extent that it is unlikely to spread to nearby residential areas.
They said they hope firefighters are able to enter the fire area on Saturday. They are expected to put out smoldering blazes and remove charred trees.
Source: ANNnewsCH
