A forest fire occurred on a mountain in Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, prompting authorities to issue a level 3 fire response and initiate an all-out effort.
According to forest authorities on the 22nd, the fire broke out around 11:24 a.m. near the summit of a mountain in Goesan-ri, Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun. The Korea Forest Service raised the fire response level from stage 1 to stage 2, and then to the highest stage 3 at 2:10 p.m. A level 3 forest fire indicates that the estimated damage area is less than 100 to 3,000 hectares and is accompanied by wind speeds of over 11 m/s, with an estimated extinction time of less than 24 to 48 hours.
Currently, 27 firefighting helicopters, 36 vehicles, and 375 personnel have been dispatched to the scene. According to the Korea Forest Service, as of the afternoon, the firefighting rate remains at about 30%, and winds of 4.9 m/s are blowing at the site.
Uiseong-gun has informed residents and hikers nearby through safety text messages that the forest fire is spreading, and they should evacuate to the Anpyeong-myeon office. The county reported that 12 residents have completed evacuation so far, and additional evacuation measures are still in progress.