The wildfire that started on the 22nd in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, has spread to nearby areas, with the containment rate dropping to 23.5%. Fortunately, the fire has been in a lull overnight around the World Heritage site of Andong Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon. Although rain is expected nationwide, the rainfall in the wildfire-affected areas of North Gyeongsang Province will be less than 5mm.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 27th, the area affected by the Uiseong wildfire was recorded at 26,704 hectares as of 6 p.m. the previous day. This figure combines the five local governments of Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok. The remaining fire line is 366.2 km, and the containment rate is 23.5%.
The Uiseong wildfire has resulted in casualties totaling 40 people, with 22 dead, 3 seriously injured, and 15 lightly injured. Among the deceased, 1 is from Uiseong, 4 from Andong, 3 from Cheongsong, 6 from Yeongyang, and 8 from Yeongdeok. The wildfire has caused property damage, with 234 dwellings burned. As of 7 p.m. the previous day, 22,026 people have been evacuated due to the fire, and 7,396 have not yet returned home.
Overnight, the wildfire came within approximately 3 km of Byeongsan Seowon, prompting Andong City to urge nearby residents to evacuate urgently, but it later showed signs of abating with no reported damage so far. The wildfire spread again to Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong the previous day, and emergency firefighting operations were conducted at the thousand-year-old temple, Daejeonsa, but the fire began to subside around early morning on that day.
The forest authorities began firefighting operations at 6:30 a.m. on that day by deploying helicopters, firefighting vehicles, and personnel. Helicopters will be deployed starting from that day to block the fire's approach near Andong Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, it is anticipated that helicopter deployment may be difficult during the morning.
A dry warning is still in effect in North Gyeongsang Province. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted rain nationwide on that day, but the rainfall in North Gyeongsang Province is expected to be less than 5mm. The expected precipitation amounts in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon Yeongseo, and South Gyeongsang southern coast are 5 to 10 mm.
The wildfire that broke out in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, on the 21st and spread to Hadong had a containment rate of 77% as of 6 p.m. the previous day. The area affected by the wildfire is 1,708 hectares. During the firefighting efforts, four personnel, including a member of the wildfire suppression team and public officials from Changnyeong County, were killed, while five were seriously injured and four lightly injured. Seventy-two dwellings were damaged, and among the 1,797 evacuees, 1,596 have not yet returned home.
The wildfire that occurred on the 22nd in Ulsan Ulju and Onyang had a containment rate of 68%, and the affected area is 886 hectares. Two people sustained minor injuries, and 11 dwellings were affected. There are 383 evacuees, and they have not yet returned home.
The forest authorities and Daegu Fire Department resumed firefighting efforts for the wildfire that occurred around 7:29 p.m. the previous day near the peak of Hamaksan in Hwawon-eup, Daegu. As daylight broke that day, five helicopters and 500 personnel were deployed. As of 6 a.m., the containment rate was 90%.
A wildfire also broke out in Honam. According to the fire department in North Jeolla Province, a fire ignited in Bunan-myeon, Muju County, around 9:21 p.m. the previous day and spread to nearby Jeoksang-myeon's mountainous area. The fire initially started from a dwelling but spread to the adjacent mountains due to the wind. Fire authorities are establishing containment lines, spraying water on the forest around the boundary of the mountains to prevent the fire from spreading.
Muju County sent safety text messages to residents of four neighboring villages, urging them to evacuate to safe places like community centers. However, the fire was heading away from residential areas, and residents are monitoring the situation from their homes. As of now, there have been no confirmed casualties.