Wild forest fires in northeast Japan have forced around 3,000 people to evacuate their homes as the flames move closer to residential areas. Two forest fires in Iwate Prefecture were burning for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday, marking one of the worst mountain wildfire disasters in decades, according to the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The fires have scorched more than 730 hectares (1,800 acres) since breaking out on Wednesday afternoon in two districts of Otsuchi. The first blaze engulfed a mountainous area, followed by another about two hours later, roughly 10km (6.2 miles) away, near residential neighbourhoods. Pictures showed a large column of smoke rising up in the sky near the town of Otsuchi as helicopters dropped water on the burning forest. The fire could be smelled up to 30km away, residents have said.…