Uljin Wildfire Declared 'Severe' Stage, Highest 'Response Level 3' Mobilization Order Issued

On the morning of the 29th, the area around Haenggok-ri, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, was shrouded in smoke. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] As the wildfire in Uljin, Gyeongbuk struggles with extinguishing the main fire, the highest level of mobilization order has been issued.

The wildfire that broke out around 12:06 PM on the 28th in the hills of Haenggok-ri, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, is still spreading along the ridgeline as of the morning of the 29th.

The Korea Forest Service and the Fire Agency are conducting operations by redeploying helicopters at sunrise on the 29th following overnight firefighting efforts.

At 8:30 PM the previous day, the forest authorities raised the wildfire response level to Stage 3 and issued a national crisis alert at the ‘Severe’ level.

Stage 3 wildfire response is the highest level of mobilization order, issued when the expected damage area exceeds 100 hectares and the average wind speed is over 10 meters per second.

The Korea Forest Service and the Fire Agency deployed about 800 firefighters to the site to establish firebreaks, preventing the wildfire from spreading overnight, and have since redeployed about 30 helicopters from the morning to control the flames.

So far, no casualties have been reported. Upon the outbreak, Uljin County Office issued evacuation orders for four areas, and currently about 30 residents have evacuated to facilities such as the National Sports Center.

Due to this wildfire, 110 hectares of forest and six facilities including an automobile repair shop have been burned to date.