Authorities lifted all evacuation orders in the Nagai district of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 30 after a wildfire ceased threatening homes [1].

The lifting of these orders allows residents to return to their properties for the first time since the fire began. While the immediate danger to residential structures has passed, the fire is not completely extinguished, requiring ongoing vigilance from emergency services.

The wildfire first broke out on April 22 [1]. At its peak, evacuation orders affected approximately 30% of the town [1]. The final set of orders on April 30 covered 17 households and 24 people [1].

Firefighters are now conducting "heat source surveys" to ensure the area is safe. This process is necessary because heat can remain trapped underground even after surface flames are gone. Officials from the Akita City Fire Department are assisting in the operation.

Jun Ishiguro, a firefighter from Akita City, said the technology used to detect these hidden hotspots involves a device that uses a pump weighing about 20 kilograms [1].

"When you irradiate a place that is burning, it is displayed in color on the monitor," Ishiguro said [1].

Fire crews continue to monitor the terrain to prevent a potential reignition. The use of specialized thermal equipment allows crews to pinpoint exact locations of residual heat without risking personnel in unstable areas.

“Evacuation orders affected approximately 30% of the town”

The transition from active firefighting to heat source surveying indicates that the emergency phase has ended, but the recovery phase remains precarious. Underground hotspots are a common complication in forest fires, and failure to neutralize them can lead to spontaneous reignition, meaning the area remains under technical surveillance despite the return of residents.