A wildfire that broke out on the morning of the 31st in Bubuk-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam is spreading rapidly due to strong winds. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the morning of the 31st, a wildfire that broke out in Bubuk-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam, spread significantly due to dry weather and strong winds, prompting the issuance of a national crisis alert at the 'Severe' level.
At around 9:25 a.m. on the 31st, after receiving a fire report, firefighting personnel were dispatched to extinguish the fire. However, by around 11 a.m., the wind blowing southward at 3.9 m/s suddenly changed to a strong wind with a gust speed of 11 m/s, causing the fire to spread along the ridge.
According to Gyeongnam Fire Department, the ignition point is about 180 meters away from residential areas, and currently, 476 residents from approximately 100 households in nearby areas including Muyeon Village have evacuated.
The Fire Agency issued Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 1 at around 11:40 a.m., and the Korea Forest Service issued Wildfire Level 3 and the national crisis alert for wildfire disaster at the severe level at around 11:45 a.m.
Fire Mobilization Order No. 1 mobilizes 5% of firefighting forces from other cities and provinces, with firefighting personnel from Gyeongnam as well as Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, and Gyeongbuk being deployed.
Wildfire Level 3 is issued when the estimated damage area is between 100 and less than 3,000 hectares, the average wind speed is 11 m/s or higher, and the firefighting time is expected to be between 24 and 48 hours.
It allows mobilization of 100% of personnel from responsible agencies, 50% from adjacent agencies, 100% of equipment from responsible agencies, up to 50% of available equipment from adjacent agencies, and 100% of available firefighting helicopters at the metropolitan level.
The national crisis alert at the severe level for wildfires applies when 70% or more of the area has a wildfire risk index of 86 or higher, or when multiple wildfires occur simultaneously and there is a high likelihood of spreading into a large-scale wildfire.
Near the fire site are residential areas and facilities such as Muyeon Village, Hwasan Village, Yongpo Village, Gugok Village, livestock barns, Chunhwa Industrial Complex, Miryang Detention Center, and Heeyun Nursing Hospital. Currently, a defense line is being established mainly around residential areas, focusing on fire suppression efforts.
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