Wildfire in Samcheok Caused by Burning Wasp Nest Contained After Six Hours

Estimated Loss of 3 Hectares of Forest
Minor Injuries Reported During Firefighting Efforts

In Samcheok, Gangwon Province, a resident attempted to burn a wasp nest, causing the fire to spread to a nearby mountain. Forestry and fire authorities spent more than six hours working to extinguish the blaze.

At 11:54 a.m. on the 25th, a fire broke out in a mountain area in Omok-ri, Gagok-myeon, Samcheok-si, Gangwon Province, prompting firefighting, forestry authorities, and local governments to respond to extinguish the fire. Photo by Samcheok City

At 11:54 a.m. on August 25, a fire broke out in a mountain area in Omokri, Gagokmyeon, Samcheok City. Forestry and fire authorities deployed about 160 personnel, more than 50 fire trucks, and 6 helicopters, bringing the main fire under control by around 6:30 p.m.

Investigations revealed that a resident in his seventies started the fire while attempting to remove a wasp nest, which then spread to the nearby mountain. The area damaged by the wildfire is estimated to be approximately 3 hectares (30,000 square meters).

As there were no houses nearby, no evacuation order was issued. However, during the firefighting operation, one township office employee and one firefighter sustained minor injuries due to heat and exhaustion.

The fire authorities are currently working to extinguish remaining embers and are investigating the exact circumstances from the resident who started the fire. The Korea Forest Service and Gangwon Province urged the public to refrain from illegal burning, such as trash incineration and burning agricultural byproducts, emphasizing that even a small spark can lead to a large-scale wildfire if not handled with caution.