Japan has deployed over 2,000 firefighters and 16 helicopters to combat its biggest forest fire in 30 years, which has burned 2,100 hectares (5,200 acres) near Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture.

Axar.az, citing France24, reports that the blaze, fueled by record-low rainfall and last year’s extreme summer heat, has led to the evacuation of around 4,600 residents, with 1,200 in shelters.

One person has died, and at least 84 buildings have been damaged. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assured efforts to prevent further damage to homes. The fire began Thursday and continues to spread, though officials stress they are taking all possible measures to contain it.

Wildfires in Japan have decreased since the 1970s, but 2023 saw around 1,300 fires, mainly between February and April, when conditions are driest. Ofunato recorded just 2.5 mm of rainfall in February, the lowest amount since 1967. Scientists link rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns to climate change, increasing the risk of wildfires.