Wildfire spreads in Cheongdo for over 5 hours as authorities ramp up efforts

A wildfire in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, has been spreading for 5 hours without being extinguished, causing difficulties for forestry authorities in their firefighting efforts.

On the 14th, authorities elevated the alert to "Level 2 wildfire response" and are focusing on early suppression before sunset. According to forestry authorities, a fire of unknown origin broke out around 10:48 a.m. on a mountain in Shinwon-ri, Unmun-myeon, Cheongdo County, and it has not been extinguished for more than 5 hours.

Forestry authorities have mobilized 25 helicopters, 39 vehicles, and about 200 personnel for firefighting operations. As of 4 p.m., the fire suppression rate stands at 45%. Fire authorities have determined that the affected area of the wildfire is 46.8 hectares, with a fire line length of 4.5 kilometers.

In response to the wildfire, authorities issued a Level 1 wildfire response alert at 11:40 a.m. and elevated it to Level 2 at 3:30 p.m. Some residents living in the areas of Shinwon-ri and Bang-eum-ri temporarily evacuated due to the fire. Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety Ko Gi-dong noted regarding the wildfire, "The Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, and Gyeongsangbuk-do and Cheongdo County must rapidly deploy all available resources to fully engage in early wildfire suppression."