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Rain, snow offer hope in Japan's worst wildfire in 50 years

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Japan battling its worst wildfire in half a century in a region hit by record-low rainfall.

The blaze has engulfed about 2,900 hectares ( 7,170 acres ) and forced nearly 4,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

The number of wildfires in Japan has declined since its 1970s peak, but there were about 1,300 in 2023 , concentrated in the period from February to April when the air dries out and winds pick up.

Japan endured its hottest summer on record last year as climate change pushes up temperatures worldwide.