Delayed Extinguishing of Jirisan Jubu Fire Due to High Altitude and Fallen Leaves

The wildfire in Sancheong, Gyeongnam has entered its 9th day, with no progress made in extinguishing the main fire in the Jirisan area.

According to the forestry authorities on the 29th, as of 12 a.m., the containment rate was 97%, up 1% from 7 a.m.

Forest Service aerial firefighting team members are conducting nighttime firefighting operations around 12:10 a.m. on the 28th in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. Photo by Yonhap News

The forestry authorities are focusing on extinguishing the main fire by deploying 55 helicopters, 1,598 personnel, and 224 vehicles. The affected area of the wildfire is 1,858 hectares, with a total fire line of 71 km, leaving 1.9 km remaining in the Jirisan area.

The areas where the fire line has formed are steep and at high altitude, making it difficult to deploy personnel and causing challenges in firefighting efforts. In particular, due to the thick layer of fallen leaves accumulated over a long period in natural conditions, it has been reported that even water dropped by helicopters struggles to suppress the smoldering fire.

Previously, the forestry authorities completed extinguishing the main fire in the Hadong area and then strengthened the defense line in the Jirisan area where the last fire line was formed, concentrating personnel and equipment to continue firefighting operations. However, due to strong winds and other factors, they failed to completely extinguish the main fire before sunset and have entered nighttime response operations.

Lim Sang-seop, head of the Korea Forest Service, held a briefing at the wildfire site on the 29th, stating, "The remaining main fire in Naewon Valley has a thick layer of fallen leaves, making it a very difficult area for wildfire suppression," and added, "Today, we are deploying helicopters and personnel at sunrise to focus all efforts on extinguishing the main fire."

He continued, "Last night, we retreated the fire line that was about 2 km behind Naewon Valley from the lowland line approximately 4.5 km away from the summit of Jirisan," and added, "Today as well, we will maintain close cooperation with related agencies and carry out firefighting operations prioritizing the safety of residents and firefighting personnel."