Large Flames Contained in Seoul Inwangsan Fire... Response Level Lowered

At around 11:53 a.m. on the 2nd, a fire broke out on the 8th ridge of Inwangsan Mountain in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. As the fire grew larger during the day, the fire authorities mobilized all personnel and equipment, and by around 5 p.m., the major flames were contained, allowing the response level to be lowered to Level 1 while extinguishing the remaining flames.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, a helicopter is conducting firefighting operations on Inwangsan Mountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where a wildfire broke out.

The fire spread from near the Jaham Art Museum on the northeastern side of Inwangsan Mountain upwards. Authorities raised the response to Level 2 at 12:51 p.m. and deployed 15 helicopters along with 121 pieces of equipment. While restricting mountain access, authorities evacuated residents as smoke spread to nearby residential areas such as Hongje-dong Ant Village. Approximately 120 households were relocated to community centers, schools, and senior centers, with some reportedly returning home later.

More than 2,500 personnel, including fire authorities, police, district office staff, and military personnel, were mobilized for extinguishing remaining flames and controlling the surrounding area. The fire and forestry authorities estimated that about 14 hectares of forest, equivalent to 20 soccer fields, were burned.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon arrived at the site around 2:20 PM on the 2nd after a wildfire broke out on Inwangsan Mountain in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and is directing the response at the Buam-dong Community Center.

Due to dry weather, wind, and fallen leaves, firefighting efforts faced difficulties. The police and fire authorities plan to investigate the cause of the fire, considering all possibilities including arson and accidental fire, once extinguishing is complete.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, a firefighting helicopter is conducting extinguishing operations on Inwangsan Mountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where a wildfire broke out.