Korea Forest Service: "Rain on the 27th Limits Fire Suppression in Uiseong Jubul"

As of 5 p.m., containment rate rises to 63%, up 19% from the morning...
Wildfire-affected area reaches 35,697 hectares
Nighttime efforts focus on establishing containment lines toward Andong city...
Personnel also deployed to Juwangsan and Yeongyang-eup

Regarding the raindrops that fell on the evening of the 27th in some northern areas of Gyeongbuk, including Uiseong, the forestry authorities analyzed that there are limitations to the rain being a direct factor in extinguishing the main wildfire. However, it is predicted to be a factor that reduces the risk of wildfire spread or scattering to other areas.

Yonhap News

At a briefing in the afternoon, Lim Sang-seop, the head of the Korea Forest Service, stated, "The rain that fell in some areas is not enough to extinguish the main fire, but the possibility of the wildfire spreading or igniting other areas has decreased." He added, "We also think the risk of firefighters being trapped in smoke will be reduced."

A Korea Meteorological Administration official attending the briefing explained, "Rain did not fall in all areas affected by the wildfire, but a precipitation of 1mm was recorded in some parts of Uiseong," and added, "A rain band is moving eastward near Chungcheong, and it is expected to have an impact tonight."

He continued, "There is a possibility of raindrops until 3 a.m. tomorrow (the 28th), and some rain, though not heavy, is expected in parts of Uljin and Yeongdeok during the morning."

Due to the high humidity on this day, firefighting efforts proceeded relatively smoothly compared to the previous day, with the afternoon containment rate estimated at 63%, up 19% from the morning.

Lim, the head of the Korea Forest Service, said, "Today provided good conditions for firefighting, so the containment rate increased significantly," adding, "However, from the day after tomorrow, cold air is expected to descend from the upper atmosphere, and winds are forecasted from then on, so we are closely monitoring the weather."

During the night, ground firefighting personnel will be deployed, focusing on establishing containment lines toward the Andong city area, where west winds are forecasted.

Lim stated, "We plan to actively deploy firefighting personnel to high-risk spread areas such as Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong and Yeongyang-eup," and added, "Especially in Yeongdeok, since the wildfire-affected area is extensive, we plan to deploy eight teams of the Korea Forest Service's special wildfire disaster firefighting units."

As of 5 p.m. on this day, the wildfire-affected area in five regions of Gyeongbuk was tentatively estimated at 35,697 hectares. By region, the wildfire-affected areas were identified as 12,821 hectares in Uiseong (containment rate 62%), 5,580 hectares in Andong (63%), 5,115 hectares in Cheongsong (80%), 4,362 hectares in Yeongyang (60%), and 7,819 hectares in Yeongdeok (55%).