Wildfire Containment Rate at 93% in Sancheong and Hadong, Gyeongnam... "Hope in Main Fire Suppression"

The wildfire containment rate in Sancheong and Hadong, Gyeongnam, has risen to 93%.

The Korea Forest Service Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (hereafter referred to as the Central Headquarters) announced on the 28th at 12 PM that the containment rate of the Sancheong and Hadong wildfire reached 93%, up from 86% as of 5 AM.

The Korea Forest Service's aerial wildfire suppression team is conducting nighttime firefighting operations. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The affected forest area is estimated at 1,785 hectares, with a total fire line length of 70 km. Of the entire fire line, 65 km (Sancheong 44 km, Hadong 21 km) has been contained, leaving 5 km remaining.

Forest authorities have deployed firefighting resources including 43 helicopters, 1,532 personnel, and 234 firefighting vehicles to suppress the main fire.

At the site, northeast winds are blowing at a maximum speed of 4 to 7 m/s.

Meanwhile, according to the Central Headquarters, the Sancheong and Hadong wildfire initially broke out around 3:26 PM on the 21st in Sincheon-ri, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam.

Due to the wildfire, 1,640 residents from nearby villages evacuated to 18 locations including Donguibogam Village. Casualties from the wildfire are tentatively reported as 13 people (4 dead, 9 injured), and property damage includes the destruction of 74 sites such as houses.

A Central Headquarters official stated, “We will mobilize all available aerial and ground firefighting resources to focus on suppressing the main fire and do our utmost to prevent further loss of life and property.”