On the 25th, as two large wildfires spread simultaneously in Ulsan, forest authorities are making every effort to extinguish the fires to prevent damage not only to the forest but also to residential areas. However, there are concerns that the intensity of the wildfire could increase overnight since firefighting helicopters cannot be operated at night.
The wildfire that occurred around 11:54 a.m. in Songdae-ri, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, spread significantly during the day.
The forest authorities issued Phase 1 of wildfire response at 2 p.m. and subsequently Phase 2 at 5:20 p.m. Phase 1 is declared when the affected area is expected to be less than 30 hectares and the extinguishment time is expected to be within 8 hours, while Phase 2 is declared when the affected area is estimated to be between 50 and 100 hectares and the extinguishment time is expected to be within 48 hours.
Because the wildfire broke out near residential areas and spread towards towns and apartment complexes with the wind, authorities issued evacuation orders to over 2,000 households in the area. As a result, as of 7 p.m., 287 households and more than 520 people took shelter in gyms or schools. About 100 children, teenagers, and workers living at the Ulsan Childcare Center also evacuated to accommodation facilities or relatives' homes.
The forest authorities deployed 13 helicopters, 43 firefighting vehicles, and over 450 personnel to the Eonyang wildfire. As of 6 p.m., the affected area of the wildfire is estimated at 60 hectares. Fire suppression has been completed over 3.6 kilometers of the overall fire line of 4.6 kilometers, while operations continue over the remaining 1 kilometer. The suppression rate is 74%. In particular, since Eonyang is experiencing an 'urban-type wildfire' occurring close to residential or commercial areas, the forest authorities plan to focus their efforts on preventing the flames from spreading into urban areas overnight.
Efforts to extinguish the fire continued in Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun, where the wildfire has persisted for four days. However, due to the diversion of some equipment and personnel to the wildfire in Eonyang that broke out that day, the suppression rate has not progressed significantly. As of 6 p.m. that day, the affected area is 470 hectares, with flames still uncontained over 1.3 kilometers of the total fire line of 16.8 kilometers. The suppression rate, which rose to 98% at one point in the early morning, fell to 92% due to the flames spreading with the wind. Additionally, after sunset, evacuation orders were issued for some areas, including Sangdae Village and Gwiji Village.
The forest authorities plan to mobilize about 390 personnel at night to focus on preventing the flames currently lingering on the second ridge of Daewoonsan from descending into residential areas.