Large Fires Across the Country... Air Remains Very Dry for the Time Being

Rain Forecast Only on the 13th, a Week Later

Wildfire in Okgye-myeon, Gangneung... Damage to Houses
(Gangneung=Yonhap News) In the early morning of the 5th, a wildfire in Namyang-ri, Okgye-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province caused houses to be completely burned down. 2022.3.5 [Provided by Gangwon Fire Headquarters. Reproduction and DB prohibited]
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[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] = As large-scale fires have occurred nationwide, the dry atmosphere is expected to continue, making firefighting efforts difficult.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted on the 5th, "The atmosphere will remain very dry for the time being."

With the wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, and spread to Samcheok, Gangwon, still not extinguished, the atmosphere is expected to be very dry, especially in areas under dry weather warnings such as Gangwon Yeongdong and Yeongnam.

In Uljin and Samcheok, a higher-level dry warning, the dry alert, has been issued. Gangneung, where a wildfire broke out on the morning of the 5th, is also under a dry alert.

Dry alerts have also been issued for other areas including Gangwon Donghae Plain, Taebaek, Sokcho Plain, Goseong Plain, Yangyang Plain, northern mountain areas, central mountain areas, southern mountain areas, Gyeongbuk Gyeongsan, Yeongdeok, Pohang, Gyeongju, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan.

A dry caution has been issued for Yeongwol, Gangwon, where a wildfire occurred on the afternoon of the 4th.

Dry cautions were also issued from 10 a.m. on the 5th for all of Seoul and Gwangju. The Korea Meteorological Administration explained, "The areas under dry weather warnings will gradually expand and the alert levels will be raised," adding, "Even in areas without warnings, many places will experience dry conditions."

Rain is expected only a week later, on the 13th. In the medium-term forecast, the Korea Meteorological Administration predicted rain nationwide on the 13th with a precipitation probability of 70-80%. Expected rainfall amounts have not yet been released.

The dry atmosphere combined with strong winds is fueling the fires. Wind advisories have been issued for Uljin, Samcheok, Gangneung, and Yeongwol, where wildfires are ongoing.

Nationwide, strong wind warnings are in effect for the Seoul metropolitan area, central regions, inland Gyeongbuk, and the Jeolla West Coast.

Between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the 5th, the maximum instantaneous wind speeds at major points were 77 km/h in Samcheok (Singimyeon) and 72 km/h in Uljin (Onjeongmyeon). In Goseong, Gangwon, the maximum instantaneous wind speed reached 137 km/h, exceeding 100 km/h.

Seoul recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 51 km/h, Pohang 90 km/h, Sancheong 85 km/h, Gyeongju 80 km/h, Chupungnyeong 78 km/h, Chungju 61 km/h, Yeosu Airport 69 km/h, and Muju and Haenam 55 km/h.

Strong wind warnings are expected to be lifted mostly between the night of the 5th and the afternoon of the 6th.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "In areas under strong wind warnings, winds will blow very strongly at speeds of 30-60 km/h," adding, "Such winds are expected to continue until the 6th in the Gangwon mountain areas and the eastern coast of Gyeongbuk, and even in areas without warnings, gusts exceeding 55 km/h may occur."

With the influx of yellow dust, the nationwide fine dust (PM10) concentration is currently at a "very bad" level. The National Institute of Environmental Research expects this situation to continue until the afternoon.

As of 10 a.m., the one-hour average fine dust concentration per 1㎥ was 144 μg in Seoul, 166 μg in Busan, 118 μg in Daegu, 115 μg in Incheon, 214 μg in Gwangju, 164 μg in Daejeon, 158 μg in Ulsan, 150 μg in Sejong, 165 μg in Gyeonggi, 166 μg in Gangwon, 222 μg in Chungbuk, 153 μg in Chungnam, 197 μg in Jeonbuk, 201 μg in Jeonnam, 140 μg in Gyeongbuk, 134 μg in Gyeongnam, and 194 μg in Jeju.

Many regions have far exceeded the "very bad" fine dust standard of 151 μg per 1㎥.

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