A fire that broke out on a low mountain in Girin-myeon, Inje County, Gangwon, on the 20th was about 40% contained as of 11 p.m.
According to forest and fire authorities, 0.91 kilometers, or 41% of the 2.2-kilometer fire line, had been contained.
As the wildfire's affected area exceeded 10 hectares (ha; 1 ha is 10,000 square meters), forest authorities issued Wildfire Response Level 1 at 10 p.m. (for wildfires with an expected damage area estimated at less than 10–50 ha).
So far, 310 personnel and 689 pieces of equipment have been deployed to the operation. Nearby cities and counties including Chuncheon, Wonju, Hongcheon, and Hoengseong, as well as the East Sea Special Response Unit, provided firefighting support.
Authorities are building firebreaks along the ridge where the wildfire is spreading to block further spread.
There have been no reported injuries so far. The risk of the wildfire spreading to homes or a nearby military base is also low.
However, as a precaution against possible spread, residents in nearby villages, including Hyeon 4-ri and Buk 1-ri, were advised to evacuate in advance. As of 11 p.m., 12 residents from eight households near the fire scene had taken shelter at a nearby senior center, according to reports.
Authorities plan to deploy helicopters at daybreak and, after completing the suppression work, investigate the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.