Gangneung Wildfire '65% Contained'... "Main Fire Extinguishment Targeted Before Sunset"

The wildfire containment rate in Gangneung has increased to 65%. It is reported that the direction of the wildfire's spread has helped in containing the fire.

As of the morning of the 11th, a wildfire that started in the hills of Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do is spreading to residential areas. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the forestry authorities on the 11th, as of 2:40 PM, the containment rate of the Gangneung wildfire stands at 65%.

The rapid increase in containment rate (which was 10% as of 1:30 PM) is attributed to the wildfire moving eastward toward the seaside and southward toward a disconnected area with less risk of fire spread.

A forestry official stated, “The wind is still strong and there has been no rain yet, so difficulties in containment remain,” but added, “However, since the wildfire has spread to areas like the seaside where further expansion is difficult, the containment rate has increased quickly,” reporting the situation on site.

Wildfire situation map in Nangok-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon. Provided by Korea Forest Service

As the containment rate has increased, the remaining fire lines have also decreased. Out of a total fire line length of 8.8 km, as of 2:40 PM, 2.9 km of fire lines remain, meaning 5.9 km of the flames have been controlled.

The wildfire damage recorded so far remains at 17 houses, 12 pensions, 4 hotels, and 1 vehicle (unchanged since 1:30 PM). However, the exact scale of the wildfire damage will be confirmed through additional investigations.

A total of 2,362 personnel, including special wildfire suppression teams, and 391 pieces of equipment such as wildfire suppression vehicles have been deployed at the wildfire site to carry out containment activities.

Although helicopters have not been deployed on site due to strong winds, 14 helicopters are stationed nearby, ready to be deployed immediately once the winds subside.

A forestry official said, “With the increased containment rate, we will intensify suppression efforts aiming to extinguish the main fire before sunset. However, since there has been no rain in the Gangneung area yet, and even if it does rain, it is expected to be insufficient to aid wildfire suppression, we anticipate that nighttime containment activities (such as mopping up remaining embers) will continue even after the main fire is extinguished.”

Meanwhile, the Gangneung wildfire started at around 8:30 AM on the same day in the Nangok-dong area of Gangneung City, Gangwon Province. Forestry authorities estimate that the wildfire was caused by a power line short circuit resulting from pine trees breaking due to strong winds.

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