TOKYO, May 5, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - More than 400 residents in northern Japan were 
urged to evacuate on Sunday over fears a forest fire that has been blazing 
for two days could spread to residential areas.

Helicopters poured water for hours on the mountains around Nanyo city in 
Yamagata prefecture to douse the flames, but the operation was called off 
after dark with the fire still burning. 

"We're urging over 400 residents in the three districts" of the city to 
evacuate, an official in charge of the disaster response told AFP.

"There is a risk the fire will spread" to the residential area, she said, 
adding firefighting efforts will resume on Monday morning.

Footage from public broadcaster NHK showed white smoke rising from the 
mountains. 

The northern city has been sweltering under higher-than-average temperatures 
and saw the mercury rise past 31 degrees on Sunday, according to private 
weather forecaster Weather News.

The fire broke out on Saturday -- prompting several road closures -- with 
around 95 hectares of land burnt down by Sunday evening, city authorities 
said. 

Globally, 2024 has already been marked by climate extremes and rising 
greenhouse emissions, spurring fresh calls for more rapid action to limit 
global warming.

Japan's northern Sapporo city, known for its February snow festival, saw 
temperatures hit 25 degrees Celsius last month, the earliest since records 
began in 1877.