Wildfire-Affected Area Exceeds 30,000 Hectares
Death Toll Rises to 21
For the fifth consecutive day, the wildfire in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk is spreading to four cities and counties in the northeastern region, escalating to the worst situation. If strong winds from the south and southwest persist, it is expected that the East Coast areas, including Uljin where a nuclear power plant is located, could also be threatened.
On the morning of the 26th at around 6:30 AM, the forestry authorities deployed 87 firefighting helicopters, 5,421 personnel, and 656 firefighting equipment units to Uiseong, Andong, Yeongyang, Cheongsong, and Yeongdeok. However, from the afternoon, strong winds exceeding a maximum speed of 11 m/s and adverse weather conditions with daytime temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius continued. One of the helicopters involved in the firefighting operation crashed, temporarily halting flights, but operations resumed sequentially from 3:30 PM.
The wildfire-affected area, initially estimated at 15,185 hectares, has now reached an extent that is difficult to gauge. Although the Korea Forest Service conducted aerial reconnaissance, the analysis of the extensive video data has delayed the completion of the tally. However, considering the wildfire-affected areas in Uiseong and Andong recorded until the afternoon of the 25th, the total scale is estimated to have already exceeded 30,000 hectares.
The wildfire spreading in all directions raises concerns about damage to World Cultural Heritage sites and famous historic temples. Currently, the fire has approached a hill located 4 to 5 km in a straight line from Andong Hahoe Village, a World Cultural Heritage site. Authorities attempted to protect Hahoe Village, which retains many tiled and thatched houses and preserves Confucian culture and traditions intact, by deploying two firefighting helicopters for suppression efforts but ultimately had to withdraw.
Hahoe Village has been covered in smoke emitted from wildfires originating in hills and golf courses 5 to 10 km away. Village residents, together with firefighting authorities, are repeatedly spraying water on houses within the village every two hours using 30 fire hydrants and 19 fire trucks. To protect the World Heritage site Bongjeongsa Temple, trees within 30 meters around the temple were cut down to enhance safety.
The flames have also spread to Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong, threatening the millennium-old Daejeonsa Temple. In preparation for emergencies, tree cutting was conducted behind the temple, and major cultural assets within the temple were wrapped in non-woven fabric.
Authorities, having switched to a nighttime response system, plan to deploy 3,333 personnel to establish firebreaks around critical protection facilities such as power infrastructure, residential areas, multi-use facilities, and national cultural heritage sites. Fire retardants are also being sprayed around major facilities like Byeongsan Seowon.
Casualties and property damage from the wildfire are also increasing. A total of 21 deaths have been reported in four locations: Yeongyang County, Cheongsong County, Yeongdeok County, and Andong City. Currently, 8,753 residents from five cities and counties?Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok?have evacuated to indoor gymnasiums and other shelters. It is tentatively understood that 257 facilities have suffered wildfire damage, and highways between Yecheon-Uiseong Junction and Dongsangju-Yeongdeok Junction are fully closed in both directions.
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