9 Cases Occurred in One Day on the 13th
Dryness Advisory Issued Nationwide
On the 13th, with dry air and early summer weather, large and small wildfires occurred one after another across the country.
On the afternoon of the 12th of last month, a joint spring wildfire suppression drill involving related agencies 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 p.m. in a mountain area in Mogye-ri, Hyeonseo-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. The forestry authorities deployed three firefighting helicopters, about 90 personnel, and 14 vehicles to the scene and completed extinguishing the fire around 2:36 p.m.
Earlier that day, around 11:15 a.m., a wildfire also broke out in a mountain area in Suseong-ri, Imgok-myeon, Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongbuk Province. The forestry authorities dispatched three firefighting helicopters, about 20 vehicles, and approximately 100 personnel to the site and extinguished the fire within 40 minutes.
Additionally, around 12:35 p.m., a fire broke out in a mountain area in Hwawol-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungnam Province, burning forest land and was extinguished after 39 minutes. The forestry authorities deployed one firefighting helicopter, 15 firefighting vehicles, and 73 personnel to put out the fire. Around 1:45 p.m., another fire occurred in a mountain area around Daejung-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si. The forestry authorities sent seven firefighting vehicles and 17 personnel, extinguishing the fire within 30 minutes.
Following that, around 2 p.m., a fire broke out in a mountain area in Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk Province. Two local government firefighting helicopters and nearly 60 personnel were deployed. Also, around 3:10 p.m., a wildfire occurred in a mountain area in Majang-ri, Gwangtan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province. The fire burned forest land and was extinguished after two hours. To extinguish the fire, a total of eight helicopters were mobilized, including five from the Korea Forest Service, one each leased from Paju-si and Goyang-si, and one firefighting helicopter.
In addition, around 3:48 p.m., a fire broke out in a mountain area in Samgye-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeonnam Province. The forestry authorities urgently deployed 10 firefighting vehicles and 27 personnel to the scene for firefighting operations. The fire was contained within about 40 minutes, and no casualties occurred. Around 4:55 p.m., a fire also broke out in a mountain area in Yongdun-ri, Ucheon-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Province. The forestry authorities deployed four firefighting helicopters, 21 firefighting vehicles, and 69 personnel, extinguishing the fire within an hour.
On this day, nine wildfires were reported: two in Paju, Gyeonggi Province; two in Gongju, Chungnam Province; one each in Yeongcheon and Cheongsong, Gyeongbuk Province; one in Jangseong, Jeonnam Province; one in Muju, Jeonbuk Province; and one in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. The Korea Forest Service comprehensively assessed wind speed and air dryness and humidity, raising the national wildfire disaster crisis alert from "Caution" to "Warning" at 3 p.m. on the 8th. Except for Jeju (Caution), wildfire warnings and alerts have been issued nationwide.
The Korea Forest Service Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters stated, "The national wildfire disaster crisis alert 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 residues and other such activities." The Korea Meteorological Administration also issued dry weather advisories for Gyeonggi (Seongnam, Guri, Namyangju, Hanam, Yeoju, Gwangju, Yangpyeong), Gangwon (Taebaek, Wonju, Northern Mountain Area, Central Mountain Area, Southern Mountain Area), Chungbuk Cheongju, and Seoul (Southeast and Northeast areas).
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