Wildfire in Sancheong, Gyeongnam Continues for Second Day... 55% Contained, Helicopters Redeployed in Full-Scale Effort

An evolution helicopter is spraying water over the wildfire site in Sicheon-ri, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province. Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

The wildfire suppression efforts in Sicheon-ri, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam continued throughout the night, and as of the morning of the 22nd, more than half of the fire has been extinguished.

According to Gyeongnam Province, the Korea Forest Service, and the National Fire Agency, as of 9 a.m. the affected area was estimated at 260 hectares, with a containment rate of about 55%.

Two hundred thirteen residents from seven villages near the wildfire site evacuated to the Korea Seonbi Culture Research Institute, and during the process, one resident inhaled smoke and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Helicopters, which had withdrawn as night fell, were redeployed immediately after sunrise.

A total of 30 helicopters have been deployed so far, and up to 42 will be mobilized in stages.

Suppression personnel from various agencies, including the aerial firefighting team, special suppression team, professional prevention team, and regional suppression team, totaling 1,210 people, are strategically assigned to each area to extinguish the fire.

The wildfire scene in Sicheon-ri, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam on the day the wildfire occurred. Provided by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters

The fire authorities have established nine close-range defensive lines focusing on temples, villages, and residential areas, while the police are preventing unauthorized returns by residents and assisting in securing fire access routes.

The military has dispatched about 120 personnel to the site to help mop up remaining embers.

Gyeongnam Province stated, "In the morning, humidity and temperature are favorable for suppression, but from the afternoon, winds may strengthen and humidity may decrease," citing the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast. Therefore, the plan is to finish extinguishing the main fire lines and cleaning up remaining embers through additional helicopter deployment and personnel reallocation in the morning.