Hill burning. A traditional event of Sengokuhara in Hakone/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203140025/

March 14, 2012

A hill burning event on the susuki grass plains of Sengokuhara, Hakone

On the 14th, an annual hill burning event took place over the expansive, 44.5 acre susuki grass field of Sengokuhara, Hakone, .

A snowfall abruptly stopped at 11:00AM, leaving the plains blanketed in a fine layer of powder. 190 from the town's fire fighting department divided work in ignited the dead leaves under it. Gradually, the flames increased until a roaring bass could be heard. The stretch of land was left charred black as the fire ran through it.

The goal of the hill burning is to burn off shrubbery, maintaining the vegetation and scenery.  Beginning in 1989, the event was suspended for the first time last year due to the impact of the Eastern Japan disaster, returning a year later in 2012.

During the fall, the ends of plains' flowing susuki grass turns golden colored. The spot is known for being chosen as one of the 50 scenic points of Kanagawa.

Original text
箱根・仙石原で恒例「山焼き」/神奈川
2012年3月14日

箱根町仙石原のススキ草原で行われた「山焼き」

箱根町仙石原に広がるススキ草原（約18ヘクタール）で14日、恒例の「山焼き」が行われた。

ちらついていた粉雪がぴたりとやんだ午前11時、町消防団員ら約１９０人が手分けして風下の枯れ草に火をつけた。徐々に勢いを増した炎は「ゴーゴー」という低音をとどろかせ、一帯を墨色に焦がしながら草原を駆け抜けた。

山焼きの目的は、低木を焼き払うことによる植生や景観の維持。１９８９年に始まったが、昨年は東日本大震災の影響で初めて中止され、２年ぶりの実施となった。

秋になると黄金色の穂をなびかせるススキ草原は、「かながわの景勝50選」の一つとして親しまれている。