愛媛えひめ 今治いまばり 山林さんりん火災かさい5日にち目め 延焼えんしょう続つづく 鎮圧ちんあつめど立たたず 生活せいかつに影響えいきょう

The forest fire that occurred in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture on March 23 continues to spread on the 27th, the fifth day since it started.

Firefighting activities from the air by helicopters resumed in the morning, but there is still no prospect of containment, and the impact on residents lives is spreading.

<br><br>The forest fire that occurred on the 23rd of this month in Imabari City continued to be fought by firefighting efforts through the night, and aerial firefighting by Self-Defense Force helicopters resumed after 6 a.m., but the spread continued on the 27th, the fifth day, with no end in sight for containment.

<br><br>The fire has spread to the neighboring city of Saijo, and as of 2 PM on the 26th, the burned area is approximately 417 hectares.

In Imabari City, there have been damages to buildings caused by flying sparks, with 3 houses and 2 warehouses in the Go-Sakurai area, 3 houses in the Nagasawa area, 2 houses in the Sakurai area, and 1 house in the Asakura area being burned, totaling 11 buildings.

<br><br>Due to this fire, Imabari City has issued evacuation orders for a total of 5,988 people in the following areas: <br>▽ Nagasawa District <br>▽ Asakura Kita District <br>▽ Midorigaoka Danchi District <br>▽ Part of Gozakura District <br>▽ Dan District <br>▽ Sakurai Elementary School District <br>▽ Asakura Minami Otonose District, and 56 households, 77 people are taking refuge in seven evacuation centers.

<br><br>Additionally, Saijo City has issued an evacuation order for the Kusunoki and Rokukenya areas in the Kusukawa district, and a total of 123 people, including users and staff of facilities for the disabled and group homes, have evacuated to a welfare evacuation center.

<br><br>In Imabari City, the impact on residents lives is spreading as stores temporarily close and post offices suspend counter services.

<br><br>Additionally, Shikoku Electric Power Transmission and Distribution is warning that if the fire spreads and electricity supply becomes impossible, there is a risk of a blackout in almost the entire area of Imabari City. They are urging residents to prepare for a power outage by having flashlights ready and charging mobile phones.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the air remains dry on the 27th, but in the Tōyo region of Ehime Prefecture, including Imabari City and Saijō City, there is a possibility of rain and strong winds as the front passes through, continuing into the 28th.