Wildfire in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Spreads Overnight... Containment Rate Remains at 4.8%

50 Helicopters Deployed, Over 1,100 Residents Evacuated

The wildfire that broke out in Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, has continued for a second day, with the damage spreading further.

On the morning of the 21st, flames that started at the summit of the hill behind Unramsa Temple are spreading to the temple grounds. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

According to the North Gyeongsang Province Comprehensive Situation Room on the 23rd, the wildfire that started at around 11:24 a.m. the previous day has spread due to strong winds, and as of 7 a.m. today, the containment rate remains at 4.8%. So far, 805 hectares of forest have burned, and 29 houses (24 completely destroyed and 5 partially damaged) have been lost in six villages including Uiseong-eup.

The number of evacuated residents is also increasing. A total of 501 households and 1,128 people from 32 villages, including Uiseong-eup and Sinpyeong-myeon, have evacuated, and 219 patients from Uiseong County Public Nursing Hospital have also been urgently transferred.

The forestry authorities launched a large-scale firefighting operation from 6:30 a.m. today, deploying 50 helicopters. A total of 2,319 personnel from the Special Forest Firefighting Unit, fire department, police, and volunteer firefighters, along with 306 pieces of equipment, have been mobilized.

The wildfire is believed to have been caused by a visitor to a family grave who accidentally started the fire while cleaning the site. It has been confirmed that the visitor immediately reported the incident to emergency services.

The Korea Forest Service issued a Level 1 wildfire alert at 1:05 p.m. the previous day, then raised it to Level 2 at 1:45 p.m., and to Level 3 at 2:10 p.m. in consideration of the rate of spread. A Level 3 wildfire alert is issued when the expected affected area is between 100 and 3,000 hectares, when wind speeds exceed 11 meters per second, or when containment is expected to take more than 24 to 48 hours.

An official from Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, stated, "We are having difficulties with the firefighting operation due to strong winds," and added, "We will prioritize the safety of residents and do our utmost to contain the wildfire."

Village residents have evacuated to a nearby community center.

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