TOKYO, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire broke out on Mount Myogi, northwest of Tokyo, on Monday, with the local authorities having requested disaster relief from the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), local media reported.
At around 8:55 a.m. local time, a hiker spotted a fire breaking out in the forest on Mount Myogi in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture, and made an emergency call, Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported.
According to the authorities, the blaze has burned approximately 8 hectares near the ridge and was not extinguished by sunset, but no casualties have been confirmed.
Two helicopters of the Gunma and Saitama prefectural governments were dumping water on the flames, but the fire did not subside, the report said.
At 6:30 p.m. local time, the Gunma prefectural government requested the SDF to help with disaster relief in the city based on the Disaster Relief Law as the fire continued to spread.
Ground Self-Defense Force helicopters are scheduled to begin firefighting operations on Tuesday morning, the report said.
Mount Myogi has been designated a national scenic spot in Japan and is a popular mountain for climbers to visit throughout the year. ■
