Uljin Wildfire, Driven by Strong Winds, Flames Reach Near Nuclear Power Plant... Spreading to Samcheok, Gangwon

A wildfire that started on the 4th in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, is spreading northward to Samcheok, Gangwon, driven by strong winds. The mountain visible directly from Sanyang-ri, Wondeok-eup, Samcheok-si, towards Uljin is engulfed in flames.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A wildfire that broke out on the morning of the 4th in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, spread to the vicinity of Hanul Nuclear Power Plant riding strong winds and is rapidly expanding toward Samcheok, Gangwon Province.

The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities announced that the fire, which started around 11:17 a.m. near the roadside of a mountain in Ducheon-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, is spreading rapidly.

The initial ignition point of the wildfire is known to be about 10 km in a straight line from Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. The Hanul Nuclear Power Plant fire brigade is operating an emergency system for wildfire suppression and nuclear power plant building protection.

Fortunately, as of 6 p.m. that day, no damage to the nuclear power plant caused by the wildfire had occurred, but Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is operating units 1 to 5 of Hanul Nuclear Power Plant at 50% output around 3 p.m. in accordance with instructions from the Korea Power Exchange.

Currently, six nuclear reactors are operating at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. Shin Hanul Unit 1 is currently undergoing test operation, and Shin Hanul Unit 2 is awaiting operational approval.

KHNP stated, "Although the fire spread to the nearby mountains around the Hanul headquarters, no direct damage to the nuclear power plant has occurred yet," and added, "We are operating an emergency system in preparation for any possible situation."

A KHNP official said, "The Uljin nuclear power plant is equipped with its own disaster prevention system, so there is no risk from the fire."

That afternoon, Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Uljin County Mayor Jeon Chan-geol, and National Assembly member Park Hyung-soo visited the Uljin wildfire site and the KHNP Hanul Nuclear Power Headquarters to inspect the wildfire response posture.

Governor Lee said, "We have agreed to mobilize military units such as the 50th Division and Pohang Marine Corps for wildfire suppression, and officials from the provincial and county offices as well as public institution employees will also participate in wildfire suppression."

A comprehensive wildfire situation room was set up at Uljin County Office that day.

Chun Chang-geol, Uljin County Governor (from the left), Park Hyung-soo, National Assembly member, and Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk, are visiting the wildfire site in Uljin, including the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant headquarters, to inspect the wildfire response readiness.

The Korea Forest Service, which initially issued a Level 2 wildfire response alert at 12:35 p.m. right after the fire broke out, raised it to Level 3 at 2:15 p.m.

The fire authorities issued Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 1 at 1:50 p.m., and the forestry authorities also issued a national crisis alert for wildfire disaster at the "Severe" level.

The forestry authorities deployed 21 helicopters and 130 personnel to fight the fire.

The Korea Forest Service, Gyeongbuk Province, and Uljin County issued evacuation orders to about 650 residents of nearby villages affected by the wildfire, evacuating them to village halls and branch schools.

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