Gangwon Wildfire, Over 2,240 Military Personnel Deployed for Suppression

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] Military authorities have continuously deployed equipment and personnel to prevent the spread of wildfires that occurred in the Uljin and Samcheok areas along the East Coast. Defense Minister Seo Wook convened a special key commanders meeting for the entire military and ordered full support for wildfire suppression.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 6th, about 2,240 soldiers from nearby units including the 8th Corps, 50th Division, 102nd Armored Brigade, Navy 1st Fleet, and Marine 1st Division rapid response units participated in wildfire suppression operations. Military helicopters deployed on the day included 26 aircraft such as CH-47, UH-60, HH-32, and Surion.

The Army is currently deploying 22 helicopters from three units including the Aviation Command and 1,400 personnel to the wildfire suppression efforts and civilian support in the Gangwon and Gyeongbuk regions. Since the wildfire began to spread rapidly, a total of 2,756 personnel and 53 helicopters have been dispatched to the wildfire sites as of this day. The Army is assisting firefighting authorities in suppression efforts while also providing military medical services to residents in the affected areas.

The Navy also deployed 12 fire trucks, 1 ambulance, and about 1,000 personnel from the East Sea 1st Fleet on the day to conduct suppression and resident evacuation operations. In particular, as the wildfire spread to Donghae City, Gangwon Province, where the 1st Fleet is located, the Navy focused on establishing firebreaks and preventing the fire from spreading to residential areas and the city.

The Air Force deployed 11 vehicles including fire trucks and decontamination vehicles from the 18th Fighter Wing, about 130 personnel, and 4 helicopters from the 6th Search and Rescue Squadron to the wildfire site on the day. The 18th Fighter Wing is also providing fuel support to civilian and government firefighting helicopters engaged in aerial wildfire suppression.

The Marine Corps has so far deployed about 1,100 personnel and 70 vehicles mainly in the Uljin area. Soldiers from the Marine 1st Division rapid mobility unit are currently camping within the local community, including Uljin Middle and High Schools, establishing firebreak belts around Hujeong-ri and Sillim-ri. They are also conducting mop-up operations in residential areas around Uljin.

Military authorities have switched to an emergency response system regarding the wildfire that started on the 4th in Uljin County, Gyeongbuk Province, and spread to Samcheok and Donghae in Gangwon Province. The Ministry of National Defense has formed a disaster countermeasures headquarters and is sharing real-time information with the Central Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Defense Minister Seo Wook presided over a special key commanders meeting in the morning attended by the chiefs of staff of each military branch and major operational commanders. The Ministry of National Defense reported that Minister Seo instructed, "Maintain close cooperation with related agencies and mobilize all available military resources to fully support wildfire suppression."

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