A forest fire that occurred in Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, spreads toward the national highway on the afternoon of the 22nd./Courtesy of News1

A large forest fire that occurred in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, has completely blocked traffic on nearby highways.

On the 22nd at about 8:40 p.m., the Korea Expressway Corporation disseminated a safety alert message announcing that the sections from Cheongnyang Interchange to Jang-an Interchange on the Busan-Ulsan Line, from Seoisong Interchange to Andong Junction on the Cheongju-Yeongdeok Line, and Andong Junction (toward Sangju) on the Central Line would be completely closed due to the impact of the forest fire.

This follows a forest fire that broke out at a hillside in Gyoesan-ri, Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, at around 11:25 a.m. It has been reported that the fire is at risk of spreading to residential areas and the highway due to the wind. A disaster situation was declared in Ulsan and throughout North and South Gyeongsang provinces at 6 p.m. that day.

Firefighting and forest authorities are deploying personnel to establish firebreaks and position firefighting vehicles to contain the flames.