Gyeongnam Sancheong Wildfire Burns for 8th Day, 94% Contained ... US Military Helicopters Deployed

The wildfire in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, which has been ongoing for eight days, had a containment rate of 94% as of 7 p.m. on the 28th.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Government and the Korea Forest Service deployed 43 firefighting helicopters, 234 firefighting vehicles, and 1,527 personnel to prevent the wildfire that spread to the Jirisan area from expanding further.

A wildfire suppression team member is conducting firefighting operations at a wildfire site in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province. Provided by Korea Forest Service

After the main fire that had spread to Hadong was brought under control around 9 a.m. that day, personnel and equipment were redeployed to the Jirisan area to continue firefighting efforts.

As a result, the fire in the direction of the Dongdang Valley in Jirisan was contained, but the fire near the Naewon Valley could not be extinguished due to strong winds and layers of fallen leaves.

The provincial and forest authorities plan to continue extinguishing the main fire in Sancheong by deploying about 1,030 personnel, including aerial and special firefighting teams, firefighters, public officials, and police.

So far, the affected area is about 1,830 hectares, with a total fire line of 71 kilometers, of which 4 kilometers remain.

Due to the wildfire, 582 people from 395 households in Sancheong County have evacuated, and one firefighter suffered a fractured toe during firefighting operations that day, bringing the total number of casualties to 14.

Additionally, with nine more facilities, including houses and religious sites, damaged by the fire, the total number of damaged facilities has increased to 83, including 29 houses, 2 factories, and 3 religious sites.

A firefighting helicopter belonging to the US Forces Korea is filling water to be used for wildfire suppression. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

On-site, four helicopters belonging to the United States Forces Korea were deployed to support firefighting efforts.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Government announced that one CH-1 Chinook helicopter with a water capacity of 5 tons and three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with a capacity of 1.5 tons each were dispatched to the wildfire site.

Governor Park Wansu shared the wildfire containment status and discussed helicopter operation plans with Brigadier General Scott Woodward, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Combined Division, who visited the scene.

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu shakes hands with Brigadier General Scott Woodward, Deputy Commander of the US 2nd Infantry Division Combined Division, who visited the wildfire suppression site in Sancheong. Photo by Gyeongnam Province

Governor Park expressed gratitude for the prompt helicopter support, stating, "We hope for continued cooperation until the wildfire is completely extinguished."

In response, Brigadier General Woodward said, "I hope the helicopters will be useful in extinguishing the wildfire," and added, "We will stay until the end."

The US military helicopters were originally scheduled to be deployed from the morning of the 27th, but their dispatch was delayed due to haze and bad weather. They were eventually deployed on the 28th, when weather conditions improved, focusing on blocking the fire and intensive water drops in key mountainous areas.

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