Difficulty in Wildfire Suppression Due to Dry Winds... Yanggu and Gunwi Enter Nighttime Firefighting Mode

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Amid wildfires occurring across the country due to wind and dry weather, the forestry authorities are facing difficulties in extinguishing the fires and have currently switched to a nighttime firefighting system.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, the forestry authorities in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, entered a nighttime firefighting system as the wildfire continued for the second day, unable to complete the main fire suppression due to haze and gusts. As night fell, the authorities withdrew 30 helicopters and are establishing firebreak lines with about 780 personnel, including special wildfire suppression teams.

While the wind was calm in the morning, it suddenly blew strongly at 10 m/s in the afternoon, causing the flames to spread and making suppression difficult. The haze followed by sudden gusts hindered efforts, leaving the suppression rate at 75%. The total fire line reached 16 km, but about 4.2 km remains unextinguished.

This wildfire started around 3:40 PM the previous day in Songcheong-ri, Yanggu-eup, Yanggu-gun. It is estimated that 759 hectares (7.59 million square meters) of forest, equivalent to 1,063 times the size of a soccer field (0.714 hectares), have been destroyed so far, with no casualties or property damage reported. The fire is believed to have been caused by a man in his 50s, who runs a small business nearby, burning fallen leaves.

In Gunwi, Gyeongbuk Province, the wildfire has not been extinguished for two days, and authorities have also switched to a nighttime firefighting system. According to the forestry authorities, as it got dark in the evening, firefighting helicopters were withdrawn, and 484 personnel, including special wildfire suppression teams and firefighters, were deployed on site to establish firebreak lines and focus on preventing the spread of the wildfire. The suppression rate is currently 50%, and the affected area is estimated to be over 238 hectares, according to the forestry authorities.

This wildfire started around 1:34 PM the previous day near the 7th ridge of Oknyobong, Hwabuk-ri, Samgukyusa-myeon, Gunwi-gun, and spread to the summit driven by strong winds. As the fire spread, the authorities issued a 'Level 3 Wildfire Alert' to respond.