A forest fire that broke out in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, has spread to Andong, which borders it, resulting in the largest area of damage ever recorded for domestic forest fires, coming in third. Firefighting efforts have continued for four days, but the containment rate remains at 55%.
On the 25th, as daylight broke, forest authorities dispatched helicopters, fire trucks, and firefighting personnel to the Uiseong fire site to begin suppression efforts. Currently, winds of about 3.5 m/s are blowing at the fire site. It is expected that strong winds of up to about 10 m/s will blow during the day, making firefighting efforts challenging.
The fire broke out in a hilly area in Gwaisan-ri, Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong County, around 11:25 a.m. on the 22nd. Riding on strong winds, it has currently spread eastward. As of about 4:10 p.m. on the 24th, the fire has reached the hilly area of Hyeonh-ri, Gilan-myeon, a neighboring municipality of Andong.
As the flames spread to the vicinity of the Anpyeong-myeon office, where the command center was established, authorities urgently relocated the command center to Cheolpari in Uiseong-eup, where the Uiseong County Second Government Office is located. Authorities have issued a 'Stage 3 Fire Response' and are in a state of alert.
Throughout the night, more than 2,700 personnel, including firefighters and public officials, focused on establishing firebreaks around major facilities and residential areas to prevent further spread. However, the area affected by the fire has increased from 8,490 ha at 8 p.m. the previous day to 12,565 ha as of 5 p.m. this day. This is identified as the third largest area of damage in domestic forest fire history. The containment rate has also dropped from 60% to 55%.
There have been no casualties reported due to the Uiseong fire, but 92 facilities, including dwellings, were burned. Currently, about 1,200 residents of Uiseong County have evacuated to gymnasiums and other safe places. In Andong, over 1,000 residents and nursing home residents in areas such as Gilan-myeon have also evacuated to safe locations.
With significant smoke generated from the forest fire, the Korea Expressway Corporation blocked both directions of the Central Expressway from Uiseong IC to Nam-Andong JCT from 12:15 a.m. and resumed traffic around 5:40 a.m.
The forest fire that broke out in Sangcheon, Gyeongnam, on the 21st is currently recorded with a containment rate of 88% as of 5 a.m. on the fifth day. The affected area is 1,557 ha (Sangcheon 928 ha, Hadong 629 ha).
Forest authorities mobilized around 1,500 personnel and over 200 pieces of equipment overnight for firefighting efforts. They plan to deploy 32 helicopters for aerial firefighting starting shortly after sunrise. However, strong winds of around 10 m/s are blowing at the fire site. The Sangcheon fire has resulted in four fatalities and five serious injuries, with a total of 12 people affected.
As of 6 a.m. on the fourth day since the forest fire broke out in Uljin, Ulsan, the containment rate has reached 98%. The affected area is 435 ha, and the remaining fire line to extinguish is 0.4 km. The wind at the scene is currently reported to be around 2 m/s. It is expected that the winds will strengthen in the afternoon.
As daylight broke on this day, around 6:20 a.m., authorities resumed daytime firefighting work, deploying 15 helicopters. Approximately 2,400 ground personnel, including Ulsan municipal officials and Forest Agency employees, will be deployed. A special firefighting team, consisting of about 200 staff from Ulsan City, Uljin County, and the Forest Agency, will also be sent to the site. The special firefighting team will ascend to the peak of Daewunsan (elevation 742 m) to combat the fire. Two people have sustained injuries in the Uljin fire.
The forest fire in Gimhae, which occurred on the 22nd, has reported a containment rate of 99% as of 5 a.m. The affected area is 97 ha, and of the total 6 km fire line, a length of 0.06 km remains that needs to be extinguished. Forest authorities have set the goal of fully extinguishing the main fire this day.