Japan looking to draft fire warning guidelines
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is planning to introduce guidelines for municipalities to issue fire warnings to restrict its use by residents when risk gets higher due to dry conditions and strong winds.
Such warnings are designed to prevent fire from occurring or spreading, but there are no nationwide standards. It is common for municipalities to use factors, such as the humidity level and maximum wind speed, for the issuance.
Yet in many cases, the authorities don't issue them, since these weather conditions don't meet their criteria.
Given that Japan has seen more wildfires because of careless handling of fire, the agency is looking to present approaches and procedures for the issuance under its panel by summer.
When a fire warning is issued, fire activities including controlled burns and bonfires are restricted. Those who violate the rules are subject to a fine of up to ¥300,000 or detention.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, only six cities issued fire warnings in the five-year period until 2024.
Even when a massive forest fire broke out in the city of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture in February, the fire warning was not issued.
On top of not meeting weather criteria, municipalities tend to be hesitant to issue a warning because limiting the use of fire could affect local agriculture and people's lives.
Considering this, the agency aims to outline guidelines that municipalities can use to set wind speed and humidity standards based on local conditions as well as non-weather factors when making decisions. This way, they can issue warnings in a timely manner.
The agency is also thinking about reviewing areas covered by the fire warning. Currently, it is designed to cover whole cities, villages and towns, but the agency is considering allowing municipalities to issue for specific areas within them. Efforts to inform residents and tourists will be strengthened as well.
Translated by The Japan Times
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