Forest Service Chief: "Geumgang Pine Forest Also at Risk"... Dense Haze and Shifting Wind Directions Hamper Firefighting Efforts

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and spread to Samcheok, Gangwon has worsened the firefighting conditions, putting the forestry and fire authorities in a difficult situation.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Choi Byung-am, Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, stated in a briefing, "The wind direction changed faster than predicted, causing a lot of smoke to rise, which made helicopter firefighting difficult."

The wind direction was initially expected to change from west wind to northeast wind around 6 p.m. that day, but in reality, it shifted to northeast wind from 2 p.m. Due to the wind, the area around Sogwang-ri, Geumgangsong-myeon was covered in thick smoke, preventing helicopters from approaching the fire front. In fact, aerial firefighting became extremely difficult from the afternoon, and the fire in the western region has still not been suppressed.

Commissioner Choi said, "The most concerning area is the forest in Sogwang-ri, where the Geumgangsong pine cluster is located, as the fire line is gradually advancing," adding, "The distance between the fire line and the Sogwang-ri cluster is about 500 meters, which is very close."

The forestry and fire authorities plan to establish defensive lines around Sogwang-ri and National Route 36 and conduct nighttime firefighting operations. In particular, they are setting up containment lines around Daheung-ri village, where Route 36 is located, and the nationally designated treasure Bulgyeongsa Temple, and are even considering nighttime evacuations.

Experts from the Cultural Heritage Administration have already entered Bulgyeongsa Temple since the previous day and are reportedly making plans to relocate the treasures. Residents of Ducheon-ri and Sinrim-ri, north of Daheung-ri, have already evacuated. Ground firefighting teams have been deployed in the Geumgangsong pine cluster area of Sogwang-ri to monitor the situation.

The nighttime firefighting plan focuses on monitoring the fire front and defending against the wildfire's progression as much as possible. Commissioner Choi said, "The Geumgangsong pine forest in Sogwang-ri is extremely dangerous," and added, "Depending on the situation, the flames could enter the forest, so we are closely watching it." He also mentioned, "The intensive firefighting efforts planned for today did not go well," but added, "Fortunately, the current wind speed is very slow at 0.9 m/s, which slows the wildfire's progress, and the wind is forecasted to shift back to west wind by 9 p.m."

Regarding the initial cause of the fire, he said, "From the footage, it appears the fire started by the roadside, so it is presumed to be caused by a cigarette or other fire source," and added, "An investigation team is conducting an inquiry and will determine the exact cause in the future."

As of 5 p.m., the forest area affected by the Uljin-Samcheok wildfire is 12,695 hectares. The total length of the fire line is 60 km, of which about 40% has been extinguished. The wildfire threatening Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, Korea Gas Corporation's Samcheok base, and the densely populated Uljin-eup area has been completely suppressed.

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