Furthermore, following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off northeastern Japan on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a special weeklong quake alert for 182 municipalities across seven prefectures, including Iwate. Authorities have warned that vigilance is required for earthquake risks while responding to the fire.

Another key reason is Japan’s geography and vegetation. A large portion of the country is covered in forests, many of which consist of coniferous trees like cedar and pine. These trees contain resins that burn easily, making them more susceptible to catching and sustaining fires. Dense forest coverage also means that once a fire begins, it can move rapidly through continuous vegetation.

Human activity plays a significant role as well. Because much of Japan’s population lives close to forested areas, the interface between human settlements and nature increases the likelihood of fires starting.