372 Residents, Including Those in Yangyang, Evacuate
Helicopters to Be Deployed at Sunrise on Sunday
The forest fire that broke out around 1:00 p.m. on April 26 in Inje, Gangwon Province, has continued burning for over seven hours without being extinguished. Due to the dry weather and the fire spreading rapidly on strong winds, nearby residents had to evacuate urgently.
A forest fire broke out around 1:18 p.m. on the 26th in a mountain near Hanam-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, and the forestry and fire authorities are conducting firefighting operations. Yonhap News
According to the Korea Forest Service, as of 7:20 p.m. on the same day, the containment rate of the Inje wildfire in Gangwon was 93%.
From the afternoon, firefighting authorities deployed 32 helicopters, 100 fire vehicles, and 508 personnel to battle the wildfire, but they were unable to bring the main fire under control.
The affected area of the Inje wildfire is estimated to be 63 hectares. Authorities plan to mobilize personnel and make every effort to contain the fire overnight.
An official stated, "We have switched to a nighttime wildfire response system by mobilizing all available ground personnel and equipment," and added, "We will pay close attention to safety to prevent any casualties or property damage."
The fire started at around 1:18 p.m. that day in a mountain near the Sangnam 7 Tunnel on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway in Hanam-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje.
Authorities raised the wildfire alert from Level 1 (issued at 2:30 p.m.) to Level 2 at 4:45 p.m. Wildfire Level 2 is issued when the expected damage area is between 50 and 100 hectares, the average wind speed is 7 to 11 meters per second, and the expected containment time is less than 10 to 48 hours.
Inje County sent an evacuation alert text message at 3:11 p.m. to residents of Girin-myeon, which was in the path of the spreading fire. As a result, 243 residents evacuated to the Girin Indoor Gymnasium as a precaution.
Yangyang County also sent disaster alert text messages at 7:18 p.m. to residents of 19 villages in Seomyeon, instructing them to evacuate to their respective village halls and the National Sports Center. So far, 129 Yangyang residents have been confirmed to have evacuated.
Nearby military units also heightened their alertness as the risk of the wildfire spreading was detected. The military stated that it is taking necessary measures according to procedures, prioritizing safety above all else.
No casualties or facility damage related to military personnel or equipment have been reported in connection with the wildfire.
Due to concerns about damage to vehicles from wildfire smoke, both directions of the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway are currently being controlled.
The Gangwon branch of Korea Expressway Corporation blocked both directions of the main road starting from 2:47 p.m. that day. As a result, the 35-kilometer section from the Yangyang Junction to the Inje Interchange toward Seoul, and the 73-kilometer section from the Donghongcheon Interchange to the Yangyang Junction toward Yangyang, have been completely closed.
Vehicles heading toward Yangyang are being detoured to National Route 44 at the Donghongcheon Interchange, while those heading toward Seoul are being rerouted at the Yangyang Junction.
The time for lifting the road closure will be determined based on the progress of the wildfire containment efforts.
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