160 Evacuated Due to Sancheong Wildfire ... Helicopters Redeployed at Sunrise

Governor Park Wansu:
"Ensure Solid Defensive Lines and Proper Deployment of Personnel"

While Gyeongsangnam-do is continuing overnight efforts to extinguish the wildfire that broke out in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun on the 21st, it has decided to deploy firefighting helicopters at sunrise on the 22nd.

To prevent the spread of the wildfire, Gyeongsangnam-do is maintaining response personnel overnight and mobilizing all available resources across the province to fight the fire.

The helicopters, which had withdrawn as night fell, will be redeployed at sunrise on the morning of the 22nd, with 27 units continuing the firefighting operation.

Firefighting helicopters are dropping water to extinguish a wildfire in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. Video provided by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters

At the integrated wildfire site command center installed at the Sancheong Pumped Storage Power Plant, Governor Park Wansu presided over an emergency response meeting with related agencies, thoroughly reviewing firefighting and evacuation measures to protect residents.

He also visited areas near the affected villages to inspect the status of firebreak construction and the progress of firefighting efforts.

Park Wansu, governor of Gyeongnam Province (right), is leading an emergency response meeting at the Integrated Command Center for the wildfire site. Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

Governor Park stated, "As the wildfire is spreading close to the villages, rapid deployment of personnel is urgent," and added, "When firefighting personnel arrive, Sancheong-gun should be responsible for providing necessary relief supplies, and the firefighting teams should be concentrated around the river area to ensure they can work for more than eight hours."

He also emphasized, "Make sure that all personnel involved in firefighting strictly adhere to safety protocols and follow operational guidelines to avoid any casualties."

He further instructed, "Ensure solid defensive lines and proper deployment of personnel to prevent any further spread of the wildfire."

Earlier, Governor Park visited the Seonbi Culture Research Institute, where 160 residents from Jeomdong and Gukdong villages had evacuated, to comfort them and encourage volunteers from the Korean Red Cross.

Governor Park said, "It may be inconvenient, but we will do our best to extinguish the fire as soon as possible so you can return home quickly."

The wildfire that broke out near a hill in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun at around 3:25 p.m. on the 21st was about 15% contained as of 11 p.m. the same day.

A total of 931 personnel and 119 pieces of equipment were mobilized at the site for firefighting operations.

There have been no casualties so far, and the wildfire-affected area is estimated to be about 130 hectares.