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On February 2, a forest fire broke out in Ofunato City and spread to Ayari, Sanriku-cho. Self-Defense Force helicopters and other firefighting efforts are scheduled to continue today. Continued dry air and stronger winds are expected, especially in the southern part of the coast of Iwate Prefecture, and Ofunato City expanded its evacuation order to 4,263 people from 1,755 households.

Civic Force dispatched one staff member to Ofunato City on February 28. Of the six evacuation centers in the city, Civic Force visited three of them to assess needs.

Okirai Elementary School gymnasium opened as an evacuation center (Photo taken on February 28, 2025)

At Ekirai Elementary School the gymnasium and special classrooms were opened to the 159 people who had evacuated (as of February 28). All of the evacuees are residents of Ayari, and supplies such as food, drinks, and sanitary supplies were delivered by businesses in the city. As evacuations are expected to be prolonged, it is anticipated that there will be a continuing need for assistance. Heating equipment and donated blankets have been critical to the evacuees, particularly for the elderly. 

248 people have evacuated to Sanriku Community Center. On February 27, local junior chambers and other organizations set up a soup kitchen, and a shuttle service to the hot spring facility began. It is anticipated that additional services such as laundry services will be needed. According to the manager of the evacuation center, many of the evacuees are worried because the fire has not yet been extinguished.

Evacuation center where 275 residents evacuated as of 10PM, February 28.