Wildfire in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam Spreads to Goryeong, Gyeongbuk... Crisis Leads to 'Wildfire Level 3' Alert

A wildfire occurred in the hills of Yulgok-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Korea Forest Service]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Dooyul] On the 28th, a wildfire that started at Notaesan Mountain in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, spread to Goryeong, Gyeongbuk, prompting the issuance of the national crisis level "Wildfire Stage 3."

According to the Korea Forest Service Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters, the wildfire broke out around 3:40 PM in Noyang-ri, Yulgok-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam. The flames spread northeastward, driven by the southwest wind, threatening Goryeong in Gyeongbuk.

The Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters issued a wildfire response Stage 3 alert around 5:30 PM and declared a reserve mobilization order for four cities and provinces: Daegu, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Ulsan.

The forestry authorities deployed 17 wildfire suppression helicopters and 133 wildfire suppression personnel to combat the fire, but as darkness fell, the dry mountainous terrain and strong southwest winds with peak gusts of 7 m/s have made firefighting difficult.

Currently, the wildfire has spread into Sinchon-ri, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk.

Im Sangseop, director of the Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters, stated, "The wildfire is spreading rapidly, raising concerns about damage to nearby homes and facilities," and urged, "Local residents should pay close attention to disaster broadcasts from forestry authorities."

Wildfire Stage 3 is issued by the Korea Forest Service when the expected damage area exceeds 100 hectares and the average wind speed reaches 10 m/s.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.