Firefighting DAEWON members temporarily evacuate in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk. According to the forest authorities, on this day in the afternoon, flames spread, isolating 4 specialized firefighting members. /Courtesy of News1

A large wildfire that started in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, has not been extinguished for three days. The strong flames spread to Andong City, burning down a nearby rest area, and four specialized firefighters were isolated by the flames while trying to extinguish the fire.

According to forestry authorities on the 24th, reports indicated that around 2:30 p.m., four specialized firefighters from Yeongju were isolated by the flames as the Uiseong wildfire spread.

Forestry authorities deployed four helicopters from the Korea Forest Service to drop water in the area and three emergency responders from the aerial firefighting unit to rescue the isolated specialized firefighters. It is reported that there were no injuries among the isolated specialized firefighters.

A forestry official explained, "There was a brief emergency when contact was temporarily lost with the firefighters, but they all escaped safely."

While the Uiseong wildfire marks its third day of ignition, it continues to spread due to strong winds. Around 4:10 p.m., the flames spread to Andong City, igniting the Jeonggok rest area on the Seo-San-Yeongdeok Expressway, which is located between Uiseong and Andong. This rest area only has a restroom and a convenience store building. Previously, from about 3:35 p.m., both directions of the expressway were completely blocked, and there have been no reported injuries.

On the 24th, as wildfires spread to the surrounding area of the Jimgok Rest Area on the Yeongdeok direction of the Sangju-Yeongdeok Expressway, the wildfire firefighting team is extinguishing the flames. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Forestry authorities also requested that residents in Hyeonhwa-ri, Gilan-myeon, Andong City, evacuate. Residents evacuated to Gilan Elementary School and Gilan Middle School.

Currently, forestry authorities have deployed 2,728 personnel and 425 firefighting vehicles for nighttime wildfire suppression. They plan to deploy personnel to national key facilities and private residences and establish firebreaks before sunrise the following day. At dawn on the 25th, they will redeploy firefighting helicopters and initiate large-scale firefighting operations.

As of 8 p.m. that day, the suppression rate of the Uiseong wildfire was 60%. The affected area is estimated to be 8,490 hectares. The total fire line is 164 kilometers, of which 97.6 kilometers has been extinguished.