National Fire Service Mobilization Issued for Miryang Wildfire...Concerns Over Spread to Homes (Updated)

No casualties reported so far

At around 4:10 p.m. on the 23rd, a fire broke out on a mountainside in Geomse-ri, Samnangjin-eup, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and fire and forestry authorities launched firefighting operations.

At around 4:10 p.m. on the 23rd, a fire broke out on a mountain in Geomse-ri, Samnangjin-eup, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam, and smoke is rising. Yonhap News

Due to concerns that the fire could spread, at around 5:00 p.m. that day the fire authorities issued Fire Response Level 1, which mobilizes all personnel from the jurisdictional fire station. They then invoked the national fire mobilization order at around 5:39 p.m. and are continuing efforts to extinguish the blaze.

The forestry authorities also issued Wildfire Response Level 1 at around 5:20 p.m. that day. A total of 183 personnel, 9 helicopters, and 46 vehicles have been urgently deployed to carry out firefighting operations.

The fire broke out on a low mountain about 250 meters high, and the average wind speed in the area has been identified as 3.3 m/s with a west-northwesterly wind.

No casualties have been reported so far. However, as there are concerns that the wildfire could spread toward a nearby convalescent hospital and residential houses, the authorities are focusing on securing a defensive line.

The Miryang city government has sent out several safety alert text messages related to the wildfire. At around 6:00 p.m. that day, it also sent an emergency disaster text message guiding residents to evacuate. It urged residents of Joeungeonin Convalescent Hospital, Geomse Village, Yuldong Village, and Antae Village to evacuate immediately to Samnangjin Elementary School, as a large wildfire had broken out at San 31, Geomse-ri, Samnangjin-eup.

At around 4:10 p.m. on the 23rd, a fire broke out on a hillside in Geomse-ri, Samnangjin-eup, Miryang, Gyeongnam, and smoke is rising. Yonhap News