On the afternoon of the 21st, forest agency aerial rescue team members work overnight to contain the spread of the wildfire that occurred in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. The mobile water tank has a maximum capacity of 40,000 liters./Courtesy of Forest Agency

Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, declared the city of Sancheong in South Gyeongsang Province a special disaster area following a major forest fire.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety noted that this measure was taken to facilitate a swift government response and provide support for those affected.

This marks the sixth time a special disaster area has been declared due to a major forest fire, beginning with the 2000 forest fire on the east coast of Gangwon Province, followed by fires in Yangyang County in 2005, the east coast of Gangwon in 2019, and the east coast of North and South Gyeongsang provinces in 2022.

Once designated as a special disaster area, partial recovery costs for damaged private and public facilities will be supported according to related laws. Additionally, affected residents will receive living stability support for livelihood relief, deferrals for local government tax payments, and reductions in public utility fees.

The government plans to establish specific support measures through a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Residents of Sugok-myeon in Jinju, adjacent to the Sancheong and Hadong counties where a wildfire has occurred, evacuated to Jinseo Middle School on the 23rd./Courtesy of News1