Containment Rate Reaches 94% as of 5 p.m.
As the wildfire in Sancheong, Gyeongnam enters its eighth day, the forestry authorities have initiated nighttime response efforts as the main fire in the Jirisan area remains unextinguished before sunset.
According to the forestry authorities, as of 5 p.m. on the 28th, the wildfire containment rate was recorded at 94%. The affected area covers 1,830 hectares, with a total fire line length of 71 km and a remaining fire line of 4 km in the Jirisan region.
The forestry authorities strengthened the defensive lines in the Jirisan area and focused on deploying 43 helicopters along with personnel and equipment to contain the remaining fire lines. However, due to the rugged terrain combined with strong winds, they failed to extinguish the main fire before sunset. Among the helicopters deployed were 17 military helicopters, including 4 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the U.S. Forces Korea and 13 from the Republic of Korea military.
Currently, all helicopters have been withdrawn, and the authorities plan to continue firefighting operations by establishing defensive lines with personnel and equipment from special and aerial firefighting teams. However, without aerial support such as helicopters, it is expected to take until tomorrow to fully contain the main fire.
The human toll from the wildfire has increased by one to a total of 14, including 4 deaths and 10 injured (serious and minor). The evacuation of disaster victims has also prolonged, with 528 evacuees currently staying at seven locations, including Donguibogam Village in Sancheong.
At a briefing on the wildfire site, Park Myung-gyun, Deputy Governor of the province, stated, "Due to expected turbulent air currents and strong gusts in the Jirisan area, safety will be our top priority. Gyeongnam Province and the Korea Forest Service will maintain a close cooperative system with related agencies," adding, "We will mobilize all available resources and do our best to protect the safety of residents and Jirisan."
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