The Fire Demon That Swallowed Milyang Mountain Finally Suppressed by Firefighters

A wildfire occurred on May 31 in Bubuk-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] At around 9:25 a.m. on the 31st of last month, an unexplained fire broke out in the mountains of Chunhwa-ri, Bubuk-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam.

Due to dry weather and winds blowing in unpredictable directions, the flames spread, and after four days, a forest area equivalent to 1,000 soccer fields was burned down.

Riding winds of 4 m/s with peak gusts up to 11 m/s, the fire quickly spread, consuming newly sprouted buds awakened by the spring air as well as large trees in the mountains.

The nationwide fire mobilization order changed from Level 1 to Level 2, and the forest fire alert reached Stage 3 with the national crisis warning remaining at a severe level.

Firefighting in progress. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

To capture the blazing red tongue of fire, firefighters, soldiers, and public officials climbed the mountain carrying backpack pumps in the darkness, relying on rakes to uncover and extinguish even the tiniest embers.

Firefighting helicopters took off tirelessly at dawn, and specialized fire trucks and high-performance chemical vehicles did not hesitate to enter rough terrain.

After a four-day battle without day or night, there was not a single casualty or damage to private homes.

Thanks to firefighters and volunteer firefighters mobilized from across the country, including Gyeongnam, Busan, Daegu, and Ulsan, who firmly established defensive lines around nearby villages such as residential areas and nursing homes.

Residents of surrounding villages, inmates in detention centers, and patients hospitalized in nursing hospitals all remained safe.

Firefighters engaged in nighttime wildfire suppression operations. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

According to fire authorities’ estimates, about 2,000 firefighting officials, 1,100 volunteer firefighters, 2,011 military personnel, 700 police officers, and around 600 firefighting vehicles contributed to extinguishing the main fire around 10 a.m. on June 3.

The large fire subsided, and those gathered have returned to their respective workplaces, but there is a deep sense of sorrow over when the blackened mountains will regain their original appearance.