Wildfire in Yurim-myeon, Hamyang Fully Extinguished ... Sparks from Fence Welding Caused the Fire

Wildfire site in Yurim-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam. Provided by Korea Forest Service

The wildfire that broke out at around 12:25 p.m. on the 23rd in a mountain area in Yurim-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, was extinguished after approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.

The forestry authorities announced that they deployed 7 firefighting helicopters, 5 fire trucks, and 104 personnel for an emergency operation, and the fire was completely put out by around 3:45 p.m.

The authorities are currently clearing remaining embers to prevent reignition, and the police have apprehended a man in his 60s responsible for causing the fire.

According to the police, a man in his 60s, identified as Mr. A, was welding a steel fence to prevent wild animal intrusion on his farm when sparks from the welding rod ignited the nearby mountain area.

The police plan to charge Mr. A with violating the Forest Protection Act and will conduct a related investigation.

Once the remaining embers are cleared, the forestry and fire authorities plan to investigate the extent of the wildfire damage and the scale of property loss.