Yeongdeok County Sets Up On-Site Command Center... All-Out Efforts for Wildfire Suppression and Support

Approximately 20,000 Hectares Damaged
Over 900 Personnel Mobilized in Joint Effort with Relevant Agencies

Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province activated the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at 7:00 p.m. on the 25th to respond to a wildfire that broke out at 5:54 p.m. that day, following the impact of the wildfire in Uiseong. On the morning of the 26th at 9:00 a.m., a field command center was established, and all administrative resources are being mobilized for wildfire suppression and damage control.

Yeongdeok County Field Command Center. Photo by Yeongdeok County

The wildfire in the Yeongdeok area spread from the Sinchon area of Cheongsong County and crossed over to Hwangjang-ri, Jipum-myeon at around 5:54 p.m. on the 25th. In response, Yeongdeok County convened the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and, at 7:30 p.m., issued an evacuation order for all residents in the nine towns and townships within its jurisdiction.

In cooperation with relevant agencies, Yeongdeok County mobilized 247 public officials, 370 volunteer firefighters, 38 members of the mobile battalion, 62 firefighting personnel, and 92 police officers. They prepared 20 evacuation shelters, evacuated 4,345 people, and made every effort to extinguish the wildfire.

However, due to strong winds of 25 m/s accompanied by a high wind warning and a dry weather warning, the wildfire spread to Yeongdeok-eup, the county seat, within four to five hours of entering the county. By around 2:00 a.m. on the 26th, it had reached the coastal area, resulting in wildfire damage across approximately 20,000 hectares, or 27% of Yeongdeok County's total area.

As of 9:00 a.m. on the 26th, Yeongdeok County has set up a field command center at the county sports stadium and, excluding the minimum number of essential administrative staff, has deployed around 300 public officials, 100 soldiers, and 500 firefighting and police personnel. All available resources are being mobilized for wildfire suppression, support for disaster victims and evacuees, and damage assessment.

Kim Kwangyeol, the county governor, stated, "We are doing our utmost to suppress the wildfire by dividing the forest and areas within the county in cooperation with relevant agencies. After the fire is extinguished, we will conduct a detailed damage assessment to ensure prompt emergency restoration and disaster support."

Kim Kwangyeol, Yeongdeok County Governor (right), is receiving a report at the on-site command center. Provided by Yeongdeok County