Gyeongbuk Yeongyang Wildfire... 11 Helicopters Deployed, 80% Containment Achieved

At around 2:11 PM on the 3rd, a forest fire broke out in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk, and the forestry authorities have issued a 'Forest Fire Level 1' alert and are currently extinguishing the fire.

The Korea Forest Service and the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters issued a mobilization order 'Forest Fire Level 1' from 4:20 PM regarding the forest fire in Muchang-ri, Yeongyang-eup, Yeongyang-gun, and are working to prevent the fire from spreading.

Forest Fire Level 1 is issued when the estimated damage area is between 10 and less than 30 hectares, the average wind speed is between 2 and less than 4 m/s, and the expected extinguishing time is between 3 and less than 8 hours.

In the jurisdiction area, 100% of available helicopters, firefighting personnel, and equipment are mobilized, along with 50% of helicopters and drones from adjacent agencies.

At the site, 11 firefighting helicopters, 302 personnel, and 40 pieces of equipment have been deployed to extinguish the fire.

As of 5:20 PM, the extinguishing rate has reached 80%, and Yeongyang-gun stated that with a 3 m/s southwest wind blowing, there is little concern about the fire spreading.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

So far, one residential house has been completely burned down, and 36 residents have been evacuated.

Yeongyang-gun added that they are also considering pre-evacuation of residents in the Muchang-ri area in preparation for possible nighttime situations.

Due to dry weather, forest fires have been occurring continuously in Gyeongbuk.

At around 1:08 PM on the same day, a forest fire in Yeongcheon has mobilized 4 helicopters, 140 personnel, and 36 pieces of equipment for firefighting.

The forest fire that spread in Gimcheon the previous day was fully extinguished in 3 hours and 32 minutes. Except for one person, all of the approximately 100 residents who evacuated to the village hall have returned home.

The Central Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service stated, "We will focus on monitoring for any re-ignition of the fire to prevent it from flaring up again."