Containment Hampered by Dry Weather and Strong Winds
Fire Reignites, Complicating Efforts to Control Blaze
The wildfire suppression team is conducting firefighting operations at the wildfire site in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam Province. Provided by Korea Forest Service
As the dry weather and continuous winds have caused the wildfire containment rate in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam to drop to 35%, residents of nearby villages who had taken shelter at the Korea Seonbi Culture Institute have relocated to other places.
The Gyeongnam provincial government announced that, as a preemptive measure against the spread of the wildfire at around 8:14 p.m. on the 22nd, it would disperse the 263 evacuees from the Seonbi Culture Institute to Donguibogamchon Forest Resort, Hurom, Danseong Middle School, Danseong Elementary School, and the Sanencheong Welfare Center annex, among other locations.
The Sancheong-gun wildfire, which broke out at around 3:26 p.m. on the 21st, was about 70% contained by 10:30 a.m. on the 22nd, the second day, but strong winds in the afternoon reignited and spread the flames.
As of 7 p.m., the containment rate was 35%, the wildfire-affected area had increased to 652 hectares, and firefighting operations continued on 17.5 kilometers out of a total fire line of 27 kilometers.
The site of the fire is a steep slope of about 30 degrees, and with a dry weather advisory in effect and strong winds of 11 to 15 meters per second near the mountain peak, firefighting efforts are facing significant difficulties.
During this process, nine people, including wildfire response team members and public officials from Changnyeong-gun, were isolated by a backdraft; two team members died and two others, including a team member and a public official, are missing.
The remaining five managed to descend on their own and were transported to the hospital, with three of them reportedly sustaining serious injuries.
The Gyeongnam provincial government and fire authorities are searching for the missing persons using a location information system (GPS) and on-site searches while continuing firefighting operations.
The rescue helicopter is scooping up water to drop at the wildfire site in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam Province. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
At the scene, 35 firefighting helicopters, 1,591 personnel, and 121 pieces of equipment have been deployed, but as night falls, aerial firefighting operations are expected to slow down somewhat.
The Gyeongnam provincial government has deployed 283 aerial, special, and professional wildfire prevention personnel to contain and extinguish the fire, while fire and police authorities are focusing on protecting residential areas and major facilities.
The provincial government plans to deploy 35 helicopters at sunrise tomorrow morning to achieve early containment of the wildfire.
In addition, as the area affected by the wildfire increases, the province plans to apply for this region to be designated as a special disaster area.
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