As of 6 p.m., containment rate at 14.5%
Firefighting hampered by strong winds reaching up to 11 meters per second
On April 28, a wildfire broke out on the slopes of Hamji Mountain in Daegu, prompting the issuance of a National Fire Mobilization Order. Fire authorities are focusing on blocking the flames to prevent damage to residential areas.
According to the Daegu Fire Safety Headquarters, the wildfire started around 2 p.m. in San 12, Nogok-dong, Buk-gu, and has been spreading toward residential areas in Seobyeon-dong and Joyadong, Buk-gu. Fire authorities are establishing firebreaks and spraying water on buildings to prevent the fire from reaching homes.
No casualties have been reported so far.
Within about an hour after the wildfire started, it spread to residential areas in Joyadong, Buk-gu, about 1 kilometer away. As a result, Wildfire Response Level 2, the National Fire Mobilization Order, and Fire Response Level 1 were all issued. On this day, wildfire suppression helicopters will be in operation until sunset at 7 p.m.
Relevant authorities plan to hold a situation assessment meeting starting at 6 p.m. Earlier, authorities issued evacuation orders for residents of Joyadong, Nogok-dong, and Gwanmun-dong in Buk-gu. In the Joyadong area, emergency broadcasts have continued, stating, "As the wildfire is spreading, residents are advised to evacuate to the nearest elementary school."
Korea Electric Power Corporation preemptively cut off electricity to seven households in the Joyadong area, as damage was expected to some sections of the distribution line.
The ignition point of this wildfire is near Geumho River and Bukdaegu IC. At one point, strong winds with a maximum instantaneous speed of 11 meters per second were blowing in the Buk-gu area where the wildfire occurred. Due to thick black smoke created by the strong winds, visibility has not been secured for several hundred meters above the area where the wildfire broke out.
According to Daegu City, as of 6 p.m. on this day, the wildfire-affected area is 57 hectares, with a containment rate of 14.5%. The Central Disaster Response Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service is working to suppress the fire, deploying 24 helicopters, 81 pieces of firefighting equipment, and 704 personnel.
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