Authorities in Japan evacuated thousands of people as hundreds of firefighters fought large wildfires in the northern Iwate region. The blazes burned approximately 700 hectares since breaking out over the past three days.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in the forests of northern Japan on Saturday, as authorities urged more than 3,200 people to evacuate their homes, government officials said. As of Saturday morning, blazes in the mountainous areas of Iwate region had burned about 700 hectares (1,730 acres) since breaking out three days ago, local government officials said in a statement. A large column of smoke, which could be smelled 30km (20 miles) away, was seen rising up the valley near the.....