Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, visited the wildfire suppression site in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province on the 22nd to check the firefighting status.
Acting President Choi received a report on the wildfire suppression situation from Lim Sang-seop, Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, and instructed, "The Korea Forest Service, along with related agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of National Defense, and National Fire Agency, should cooperate to mobilize all available equipment and personnel for an all-out response." He also encouraged the wildfire suppression personnel and urged them to pay special attention to safety accidents.
During the inspection of relief supplies support status at evacuation facilities for affected residents, he instructed, "Related agencies should respond quickly to residents' requests to ensure there is no inconvenience to the residents." Acting President Choi emphasized, "During the dry spring season, it is necessary for all citizens to exercise special caution to prevent wildfires caused by minor carelessness."
As of 3 p.m. on the 22nd, marking 24 hours since the Sancheong wildfire started on the 21st, the containment rate was 65%, down from 70% at 10:30 a.m. The wildfire-affected area expanded to 290 hectares. The total fire line length also extended to 18 km, with the remaining fire line estimated to be about 6.1 km.
At around 3 p.m. on the same day, Sancheong-gun sent a disaster safety message urging residents and hikers in eight villages near the wildfire site in Sicheon-myeon?Songha, Naegong, Oegong, Jungtae, Hupyeong, Bancheon, Bulgye, and Sincheon?to evacuate immediately to a safe place. On the 21st, evacuation orders were issued for seven villages: Gukdong, Jeomdong, Wonri, Seosin, Seochon, Dongsin, and Jungsan.
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