"A Colleague Who Almost Died in the Line of Duty"…The Fire Truck Photo Posted by an Active Firefighter Shows the Full Fury of the Flames

Fatigue Mounts Among Firefighting Crews as Large-Scale Wildfires Drag On
Active Firefighter Shares Traces of the Blaze on Social Media
Citizens Show Support... Related Fundraiser Surpasses 1.7 Billion KRW

As firefighters and other personnel involved in wildfire suppression accumulate fatigue due to the large-scale forest fires, citizens are expressing sympathy for the firefighters struggling on the front lines. Baek Gyeong (pen name), an active firefighter and writer, posted a photo of a fire truck seemingly deployed at the suppression site on social media (SNS) on the 27th.

Baek Kyung (pen name), an active firefighter and writer, posted a photo on social media on the 27th showing a fire truck that appears to have been dispatched to a firefighting scene. X

Baek Gyeong wrote, “A close colleague came back from supporting the wildfire suppression and said, ‘I almost died in the line of duty,’ so I thought it was a joke,” adding, “But when I saw the burnt vehicle, I realized it wasn’t a joke.” He continued, “When it rains and the fire is contained, I want to invite my friend home,” and added, “Saying ‘thank you for surviving’ feels awkward, so I’ll just grill plenty of pork and feed him.”

Also, on X (formerly Twitter), firefighter A posted two photos with the caption, “How can anyone endure 24 hours?” One photo shows a firefighter lying down, having taken off the upper part of his fire-resistant suit, in what appears to be an outdoor parking lot. Another photo captures a firefighter wearing a charred fire-resistant suit, with a face exhausted from fatigue.

The exhausted firefighters. X

On the 24th, a firefighter in his 40s from the Sangju Fire Station under the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters was transported to a hospital and treated after experiencing dizziness and vomiting during wildfire suppression. A forestry official said, “As the wildfire prolongs, the personnel are becoming exhausted.”

There have also been casualties among wildfire suppression personnel. A helicopter deployed for wildfire suppression in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, crashed, resulting in the death of the helicopter pilot. Additionally, a wildfire lookout in his 60s, who went missing while returning home after being deployed for wildfire suppression in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, was found dead.

Citizens who have learned of their hard work are also offering support. According to Naver Happybean on the 28th, more than 1.7 billion KRW was raised in just five days through the nationwide disaster relief association’s fundraising campaign titled “Heroes on the Wildfire Frontline, Let’s Protect Them Together,” which supports firefighters and suppression personnel. Citizens have expressed their sentiments, saying, “You are heroes,” “I hope this helps the hardworking firefighters,” and “Though it’s a small amount, I’m grateful to be able to help the hardworking firefighter uncles with my birthday allowance.”