"Firefighters Need to Eat"... Residents Protecting the Village Without Evacuating [Report]

Most Residents Evacuated to Nearby Schools
But Some Stayed to Protect the Village
Spraying Water and Supporting Firefighters Everywhere
Firefighters Devote Themselves Out of a Sense of Duty

"They are risking their lives, and the firefighters are struggling. I thought I should at least feed them, so I had to keep my store open..."

On the 27th at 5 p.m., in Hahoe Village, Andong, Gyeongbuk. Kwon Ok-nam (74), who runs a nearby restaurant, spoke with a worried expression. Although the ticket office of the UNESCO World Heritage site Hahoe Village and most restaurants were closed, Kwon said she kept her store open out of concern for the firefighters. She felt sorry seeing the firefighters having to make do with kimbap for their meals.

3) On the 27th, residents at Byeongsan Seowon in Andong, Gyeongbuk, are worried that the wildfire might spread. Photo by Byeon Seon-jin

The forest fire that started in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, approached the village like it was going to engulf it from the previous afternoon, and tension was evident on the faces of the residents. In the bizarre scene where the World Heritage site turned into a 'war zone,' firefighters and residents were engaged in a fierce battle. It was literally a desperate struggle.

Most residents evacuated to a nearby elementary school and gymnasium. However, many residents tried to protect the village from the forest fire by taking short naps. Ryu Sang-ik (55), who runs a supermarket, was connecting a hose to a fire hydrant behind the supermarket, spraying water on the thatched houses and pine trees. These are 1,000-year-old trees that have stood there since the Goryeo Dynasty. Ryu said, "Most residents are elderly, but I am young and have received fire prevention training. I thought I should step up to prevent the forest fire from spreading to the village." He also brought drinks and water for the firefighters while spraying water.

Village resident Kim Ok-kyung (79) said, "Last night, a neighbor urgently called and told me to evacuate quickly. But this is the house I have lived in all my life, so I trust the firefighters and plan to stay." Resident Jang In-ja (73) also said, "I went to the shelter for two days but returned to the village an hour ago," adding, "Seeing the firefighters' efforts makes me feel reassured."

Fire trucks were lined up every 100 meters in Hahoe Village. Along the Nakdong River, a large-capacity water cannon capable of spraying 45,000 liters per minute surrounded Hahoe Village, and the volunteer fire brigade busily sprayed water on the land. The sound of three Korea Forest Service helicopters flying overhead continued endlessly. The helicopters scooped water from somewhere and poured it over various parts of Hahoe Village. Firefighter Kim, visibly exhausted, said, "The weather is cloudy today, but no rain is falling, only strong winds, so we cannot let our guard down." Firefighters who needed rest sat down or half-stood to take short naps wherever they could find a spot. The press, who could be an 'unwelcome guest,' felt sorry to approach too closely.

Leaving Hahoe Village and arriving at Byeongsan Seowon around 6:30 p.m., the scene was also busy with efforts to establish a fire defense line. Large and small puddles had been created on the road leading to the seowon, and the noise of logging work to cut down trees that could become firewood was heard. Byeongsan Seowon is a representative Confucian academy established during the Joseon Dynasty for Confucian education and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. In preparation for emergencies, two spirit tablets, including that of Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, have been moved to a safe place.

Firefighters and residents were protecting the village, recalling Manhyujeong, which miraculously survived the forest fire. When the fire spread, the Cultural Heritage Administration, Andong City, and the fire station covered the wooden buildings of Manhyujeong, except for the tiled roof, with fire-resistant cloth, creating a 'miracle.' Apart from some scorch marks found on a few pine trees, no significant damage was reported.

2) On the 27th, a thatched-roof house in Hahoe Village, Andong, Gyeongbuk, is fully prepared to prevent wildfire damage. Photo by Byeon Seon-jin

Near Byeongsan Seowon, fortunately, small raindrops began to fall around 8 p.m. It was a welcome rain that made one want to shout 'Hooray.' The flames subsided, and the thick smoke and acrid smell that had filled the village began to clear. However, the firefighters did not lower their guard. Firefighter Park (46), met on site, said, "My body and mind are exhausted, but I endure with the sense of duty to protect both the lives of residents and the World Heritage site." Firefighter Lee, who came from Gyeonggi Province to assist, also said, "I am tired, but I am committed with the determination not to let the residents lose their homes."

The noble sacrifices of firefighters continued at this forest fire site. In the early stages of the fire in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, on the 22nd, public official Kang (33) and forest fire suppression team members Gong (60), Lee (64), and Hwang (63) were trapped by flames and died. On the 25th, a forest fire watcher (69) was found dead in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk. Subsequently, in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, helicopter pilot Captain Park Hyun-woo (73) died in a crash during firefighting operations, and there was another tragic death on the 27th.

Further sacrifices must be prevented, and damage minimized. Experts are calling for the expansion of forest fire suppression helicopters and the development of forest roads accessible to fire trucks. In Korea, forest roads average 4.01 meters per hectare, which is far less than Germany (54 m), Australia (50.5 m), and Japan (23.5 m). Due to the lack of forest roads, firefighters at forest fire sites have no choice but to carry firefighting hoses weighing tens of kilograms on their shoulders and approach the flames to spray water. This threatens the safety of firefighters.

Most of the helicopters owned by the Korea Forest Service deployed for this firefighting operation are medium and small-sized helicopters with capacities of 1,000 to 3,000 liters. Larger helicopters are needed for forest fire suppression. However, Korea has only five large helicopters capable of spraying 5,000 to 8,000 liters at once.