Wildfires Continue in Gyeongbuk Cheongsong and Yeongcheon, Chungnam Gongju, and Other Areas

Forest authorities mobilize helicopters and vehicles to extinguish all fires

Amid dry weather, wildfires occurred consecutively in Cheongsong and Yeongcheon in Gyeongbuk, and Gongju in Chungnam.

(This photo is not related to the wildfire area.) On the afternoon of the 12th of last month, a joint wildfire suppression drill involving related organizations was conducted at Gwanggyosan Mountain in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the forestry authorities, a wildfire broke out around 1:37 PM on the 13th in the mountain area of Mogye-ri, Hyeonseo-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk. The forestry authorities deployed three firefighting helicopters, about 90 personnel, and 14 vehicles to the site and completed extinguishing the fire around 2:36 PM.

Earlier that day, around 11:15 AM, a wildfire also occurred in the mountain area of Suseong-ri, Imgomyeon, Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongbuk. The forestry authorities dispatched three firefighting helicopters, about 20 vehicles, and approximately 100 personnel to the scene and extinguished the fire within 40 minutes.

The Korea Forest Service plans to send a wildfire investigation and inspection team to the wildfire sites to investigate the cause of the fire and the exact damage area.

Also, around 12:35 PM, a fire broke out in the mountain area of Hwawol-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungnam, burning forest land and was extinguished within 39 minutes. The forestry authorities deployed one firefighting helicopter, 15 firefighting vehicles, and 73 personnel to put out the fire.

At around 1:45 PM, another fire occurred in the mountain area around Daejung-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si. The forestry authorities dispatched seven firefighting vehicles and 17 personnel and extinguished the fire within 30 minutes.

The Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service stated, "The national crisis alert for wildfire disasters has been raised to 'Warning' nationwide except for Jeju," and urged, "Since even a small spark can escalate into a large wildfire if neglected, please strictly prohibit illegal burning of agricultural waste and other such activities."