Strong winds whip up western Japan wildfires, 15 buildings lost.

[mee@reddthat.com]

Strong winds intensified out-of-control wildfires in two western Japan prefectures on Wednesday, burning through over a cumulative 900 hectares and leaving at least 15 buildings destroyed.

The fire in Ehime Prefecture has burned over 410 hectares in Imabari and Saijo, engulfing seven houses and two warehouses. Meanwhile, in Okayama Prefecture, approximately 540 hectares have burned in the cities of Okayama and neighboring Tamano, burning another six structures.

Firefighters and the Ground Self-Defense Force were working to control the blazes that were first reported Sunday afternoon in both prefectures.