Sancheong Large-Scale Wildfire Containment Rate Returns to 70% ... Nighttime Firefighting Operations Begin

Gyeongnam Province Sprays Fire Retardant Around Residential Areas
to Prevent Spread of Wildfire

Firefighters are conducting nighttime firefighting operations at a forest fire site in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

The wildfire in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, which has been burning the forest for three days, was about 70% contained as of 6 p.m. on the 23rd after repeated suppression and reignition.

The Central Disaster Response Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service deployed 32 firefighting helicopters, 2,452 personnel, and 244 vehicles in an all-out effort to extinguish the wildfire, but strong winds, dry weather, and haze made the operation difficult, and the main fire could not be contained during the day.

The area affected by the wildfire so far is about 1,379 hectares, and of the total 45 kilometers, about 13.5 kilometers of fire line remain.

As a result of the fire, four people have died, including one government official from Changnyeong-gun and three wildfire suppression crew members. Five people were seriously injured and one sustained minor injuries.

A building in Jungtae Village, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, was completely blackened by a wildfire. Photo by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters

As the strong winds spread the flames to the Hadong area, 46 places were burned, including six houses, two temples, and one factory.

Residents of Sancheong and Hadong are being evacuated to nine locations including Sancheon Dancheong Middle School and three locations including Hadong Okcheon Hall, as well as Jinseo High School in Jinju.

On the mountain where the fire broke out, a south-southeast wind is blowing at a speed of 3 meters per second, with a maximum wind speed reaching 11 meters per second. The temperature is 20.7 degrees Celsius and the humidity is measured at 17%.

As dusk fell, helicopters withdrew, but 1,497 available ground personnel and equipment were fully mobilized to begin nighttime wildfire suppression operations.

The Gyeongnam provincial government decided to spray fire retardant around residential areas overnight to prevent the flames from spreading with the wind.

At sunrise on the following day, the 24th, 31 helicopters will be deployed, and remaining embers and backfires will be closely monitored and extinguished, focusing on government officials on standby.