Wildfire in Gangneung Amid Strong Winds... Eight Helicopters Deployed for Containment

Forest Authorities Mobilize All Resources for Full-Scale Suppression

A wildfire broke out around 2:14 PM on December 29 in Sinwang-ri, Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province.

A wildfire broke out around 2:14 PM on the 29th in Sinwang-ri, Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province. Provided by Gangwon Province

According to the Korea Forest Service and the Gangwon Fire Headquarters, an unidentified wildfire started around 2:14 PM on December 29 in the area of San 1, Sinwang-ri, Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung-si. Upon receiving the report, authorities immediately dispatched wildfire suppression helicopters and personnel to the scene.

The forest and fire authorities are currently working to extinguish the wildfire by deploying eight helicopters, 44 fire suppression vehicles, and 124 personnel.

At the wildfire site, a strong west-northwesterly wind with a speed of 4.9 meters per second is blowing, raising concerns about the possibility of the fire spreading further.

As of 3 PM, the forest authorities have increased their response level by mobilizing additional personnel from nearby national forest management offices in Yangyang, Pyeongchang, and Jeongseon.

A fire department official stated, "We are mobilizing all available resources with the goal of containing the main fire before sunset," adding, "Once the suppression is complete, we will investigate the exact cause and the area affected."

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