Uljin·Samcheok Wildfire Leaves Record-Breaking Ashes, Winds Shift South Again... Forest Area Burned Equals 8,500 Soccer Fields

On the 5th, flames are rekindling on a mountain in Hadang-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. The forestry authorities announced that the wildfire, which had been moving northward due to a change in wind direction in the morning, is now moving south again.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 5th, houses in Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, have turned into ashes due to the wildfire that occurred the previous day. [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, moved northward to Samcheok, Gangwon, then headed south again on the morning of the 5th, driven by strong winds, devastating the forest.

The Korea Forest Service, local governments, and fire authorities have been concentrating efforts since dawn, deploying 57 helicopters and firefighting personnel to contain the flames.

As of 7 a.m., the wildfire has caused forest damage over a total area of 6,066 hectares, including 5,570 hectares in Uljin and 496 hectares in Samcheok. This area is equivalent to about 8,500 soccer fields turned to ashes, and approximately 160 facilities, including 51 houses and 45 warehouses, were burned.

6,126 residents from villages near the wildfire were urgently evacuated, with some having returned home.

In Gangwon Province, the wildfire spread not only in Samcheok but also in other areas such as Ok-gye, leading to partial closures of the Donghae Expressway.

At one point, the fire approached major facilities including Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, LNG production base, and power transmission lines, triggering a national emergency, but no damage has been reported so far.

The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities aim to control the main fire before sunset by deploying 57 helicopters, 273 firefighting vehicles, and 3,085 personnel since dawn.

As the wildfire moved north from Uljin to Samcheok overnight with strong winds, the wind direction changed at dawn causing the fire to move south again. Fire authorities are making every effort to block the flames heading toward Hanul Nuclear Power Plant and Deokgu Hot Springs.

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