Uljin and Samcheok Wildfires Enter Fourth Night of Battle... Firefighting Focuses on Ground Crews After Helicopter Withdrawal

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Korea Forest Service resumed nighttime wildfire response as the forest fires in Uljin and Samcheok, which started on the 4th, continued into the fourth day on the 7th. As it got dark and firefighting helicopters withdrew, the Forest Service is focusing on preventing the spread of the fire by deploying firefighting vehicles and wildfire suppression personnel.

The forestry authorities are currently concentrating their firefighting efforts on the most critical area, Uljin, especially around the Geumgang Pine (Geumgangsong) forest in Geumgangsong-myeon. However, they have struggled to suppress not only the main fire but also the major fire lines in the area. Accordingly, they plan to deploy elite firefighting personnel intensively during the night to defend the Geumgang Pine forest.

Following forecasts that wind directions will change at night, the forestry authorities intend to focus more on protecting key facilities and guiding residents to evacuate rather than direct wildfire suppression. In particular, they will establish defensive lines around residential areas and concentrate on protecting the Bulyoungsa cultural heritage site and the Geumgang Pine forest. On the 8th, the Forest Service plans to deploy 82 helicopters again to suppress the fire heads moving toward the Geumgang Pine forest.

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