Gwangyang Wildfire Brought Under Initial Control After 19 Hours... Response Level Downgraded

90 Percent of 4.1 km Fire Line Contained
Investigation to Follow After Full Extinguishment

A forest fire that broke out around 3:02 PM on the 21st at the foot of Baegunsan Mountain in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do, continued into the night, prompting the fire department to issue a national fire mobilization order and make every effort to extinguish it. Provided by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters

The major blaze of the forest fire that broke out in the hills of Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do, has been brought under control after approximately 19 hours.

According to the Korea Forest Service and Jeonnam Fire Headquarters on January 22, the wildfire that started the previous afternoon in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang City, was initially contained as of 9:30 AM that day.

As a result, the fire authorities downgraded the response level from Level 2 to Level 1.

Fortunately, there were no casualties from this wildfire, but the damage to the forest was significant. Authorities estimate that approximately 48 hectares of forest, equivalent to about 70 soccer fields, were lost.

The total fire line (length of the blaze) reached 4.1 kilometers, but currently, 3.7 kilometers have been brought under control, with the containment rate at 90 percent.

With daylight, the forestry and fire authorities deployed 25 helicopters and concentrated firefighting personnel, successfully bringing the main fire under control. They are now carrying out final extinguishing operations, such as clearing remaining embers.

More than 100 residents from Okgok-myeon and Jinsang-myeon, including those living near the affected houses and hills, were evacuated to facilities such as the township office and welfare center on the night of the fire, spending an anxious night. Some residents also took refuge at relatives' homes in other areas.

The fire is believed to have started at a house in Okgok-myeon around 3:02 PM the previous day and spread to the nearby hills, fueled by strong winds.

Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the specific scale of property damage once the final cleanup of embers is completed.