Thousands of residents have evacuated their homes in northern Japan due to wildfires that have swept across the largest area since 1992, resulting in one death.

Japanese authorities reported that around 2,000 people were displaced from areas surrounding the town of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture since the fires broke out on Wednesday.

The fire has spread over an area of 1,800 hectares, causing damage to more than 80 buildings.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has also confirmed that 2024 is the hottest year on record for Japan.