Sancheong Wildfire Rekindled by Strong Winds ... Fatalities Reported

Flames and smoke are rising from a hill in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. Provided by Korea Forest Service

The wildfire suppression efforts in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam are facing difficulties due to strong winds and other factors.

The wildfire, which broke out at around 3:26 p.m. on the 21st in Sancheong-gun, had a containment rate of 70% as of 10:30 a.m. on the 22nd. However, due to dry weather and strong winds with maximum speeds of 10 to 15 meters per second near the peak, the fire regained its intensity.

As a result, the containment rate dropped to 65% as of 2:30 p.m., and the affected area expanded to 290 hectares.

The total fire line increased to 18 kilometers, and the remaining burning section was estimated to be about 6.1 kilometers.

During this process, nine people, including eight members of the Changnyeong wildfire suppression team who were deployed to fight the fire, became isolated due to a sudden change in wind direction.

Of these, five managed to escape on their own and descended the mountain, but two members of the suppression team were found dead, while one government official and one suppression team member remain missing.

As the wildfire spread with the wind, additional evacuation orders were issued for residents and hikers in eight villages: Songha, Naegong, Oegong, Jungtae, Hupyeong, Bancheon, Bulgye, and Sincheon.

Previously, on the day of the fire, 213 residents from seven villages?Jeomdong, Gukdong, Wonri, Seosin, Seochon, Dongsin, and Jungsan?had already evacuated to the Korea Seonbi Culture Research Institute, and one person who inhaled smoke was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Currently, 40 helicopters, 1,591 personnel, and 121 pieces of equipment have been deployed to extinguish the fire. However, as another wildfire broke out in Gimhae, resources and personnel have been dispersed, raising concerns that the suppression efforts may be further slowed.

The Gyeongnam provincial government announced that it will mobilize all available equipment to extinguish the wildfire and will also focus all efforts on searching for the two missing persons.