TOKYO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Firefighting efforts continued on Monday as a forest fire in Ofunato City of Japan's Iwate Prefecture entered its sixth day, local media reported.
The fire, which broke out on Feb. 19 in the Sanriku district of Ofunato, has not been extinguished. Smoke was observed in multiple locations on Monday morning, and authorities have yet to determine when the fire will be fully contained, national broadcaster NHK reported.
According to the prefectural government, approximately 324 hectares of land have burned as of Monday morning. No injuries or damage to buildings have been reported so far.
Ofunato City has maintained evacuation orders for 62 households (157 people) in the Tahama district and continues to urge caution.
A dry weather advisory has been in effect for the southern coastal region of Iwate Prefecture for seven consecutive days, with dry conditions persisting. ■
