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Saitama Forest Fire in Chichibu Grows to About 40 Hectares as Prefecture Seeks SDF Aid

The response escalated after the blaze expanded again despite a containment declaration the previous afternoon.

Overview

  • The burned area reached an estimated 40 hectares based on visual assessments by the Chichibu Fire Department.
  • Saitama Prefecture requested a Self-Defense Forces disaster dispatch at 10:30 a.m. on February 6.
  • Helicopters from the prefectural disaster aviation unit and about four aircraft from neighboring departments conducted aerial firefighting through the morning.
  • Police on patrol first spotted smoke on February 4, and authorities had briefly declared the fire contained on the afternoon of February 5 before rescinding that status on February 6.
  • No injuries or damage to buildings had been confirmed as of early February 6, according to police and local fire officials.