Wildfire suppression site on a hill in Gopung-ri, Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Photo by Korea Forest Service, Yonhap News Agency
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] As a wildfire that broke out on a mountain in Gopung-ri, Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do spreads, the forest authorities have issued a wildfire response level 2 alert.
According to the Chungnam Fire Headquarters and forest authorities on the 9th, a fire broke out around 10:50 a.m. today on a mountain in the Gopung-ri area of Seosan-si.
The Chungnam Fire Headquarters issued a 'Response Level 1 (full mobilization of the fire department in charge)' around 11:50 a.m. and began firefighting operations.
However, as the flames could not be controlled due to strong winds, the Korea Forest Service upgraded the alert to 'Wildfire Level 2' as of 1 p.m.
Level 2 is issued when the average wind speed is 4 to 7 m/s, the expected damage area is less than 100 hectares, and the firefighting time is expected to be less than 24 hours. In this case, 100% of the wildfire firefighting helicopters and firefighting personnel from the jurisdiction and adjacent agencies, and 50% of firefighting personnel from adjacent agencies are deployed to the wildfire site.
If the average wind speed exceeds 7 m/s and the fire spreads into a large-scale wildfire, Level 3 is issued, at which time all available personnel and firefighting helicopters at the metropolitan level are fully mobilized.
Even if the wind speed and expected damage area criteria are not met, a higher-level mobilization order can be issued if there is concern about damage to residents such as houses.
Currently, the forest and fire authorities, local governments, and police have deployed 16 firefighting helicopters and 814 firefighting personnel to the site to suppress the flames.
However, poor accessibility to the site and strong winds of 15 m/s are causing difficulties in firefighting. Seosan City has advised nearby residents to evacuate to safe places through disaster messages.
A Korea Forest Service official stated, "All personnel participating in the firefighting operations are making every effort to respond with full force and extinguish the wildfire safely without any accidents."
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