Ulsan Mountain Fire Level 3... Busan-Ulsan Expressway Reopens to Traffic

At the Highest Response Level... Wildfire-Affected Area Reaches 105 Hectares
Both Directions of Busan-Ulsan Expressway Reopen After Traffic Restrictions

On the morning of the 23rd, the second day of the wildfire that occurred in Unhwa-ri, Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, a level 3 wildfire response was issued as of 9 a.m. The level 3 wildfire response is the highest response level issued by the forestry authorities. It is issued when strong winds of over 7 m/s are blowing, the expected damage area is over 100 hectares, and it is expected to take more than 24 hours to extinguish.

The wildfire-affected area, where damage is expected, is 105 hectares. The current extinguishing rate is 65%. Authorities are mobilizing 1,940 personnel including special firefighting teams, public officials, police, and firefighters, along with 12 helicopters to carry out the main fire suppression operations.

Nighttime firefighting efforts continue at the hillside wildfire site in Unhwa-ri, Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, which broke out on the night of the 22nd. Yonhap News

Vehicle traffic on some sections of the Busan-Ulsan Expressway, which had been restricted due to proximity to the wildfire site, resumed from the morning of the same day. The Korea Expressway Corporation and Ulsan Police Agency announced that from around 9 a.m., two-way vehicle traffic was resumed on the section between Jangan IC and Cheongnyang IC on the Busan-Ulsan Expressway. However, a 1 km section near Onyang IC adjacent to the wildfire site still has fire trucks on standby, so only the third lane out of three lanes in each direction remains closed.

The wildfire broke out in a mountain area in Unhwa-ri, Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun at around 12:12 p.m. on the 22nd, and firefighting operations have been ongoing until the morning of the 23rd, one day later.