Wildfire in Gangneung Amid 30m/s Strong Winds... Evacuation Order Issued for Residents
by Yun Seulgi
Published 11 Apr.2023 10:14(KST)
Flames Spread to 4-5 Private Houses
In Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, a strong wind warning and a dry weather warning were issued simultaneously, and a wildfire that started in a hill spread to residential areas, prompting an evacuation order for residents.
A wildfire broke out around 8:30 a.m. on the 11th in the hills of Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, and the flames are spreading to residential areas driven by strong winds. Photo by Yonhap News
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According to the Gangwon Fire Headquarters on the 11th, a wildfire broke out around 8:30 a.m. in a hill area near 4 Nanggok-dong, Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, and the flames spread to residential areas and others, driven by strong winds. Of about 10 houses near the fire site, the flames have currently spread to 4 to 5 houses.
Gangneung City sent disaster safety messages to residents of seven districts including Gyeongpo-dong 10th, 11th, and 13th districts, instructing them to evacuate to the Gyeongpo-dong Community Center and Ice Arena.
The forestry authorities, along with the fire department, have deployed 131 personnel and 35 pieces of equipment to carry out firefighting operations. However, due to strong winds reaching a maximum instantaneous speed of 30 meters per second along the East Coast including Gangneung, helicopter deployment has been difficult, causing challenges in firefighting efforts.
According to Gangneung City, the fire is presumed to have spread into a wildfire after a pine tree broke and touched power lines, causing sparks.
The provincial fire headquarters issued a Level 2 response, concentrating surrounding firefighting forces, at around 9:19 a.m. that day.
On this day, dry weather warnings and strong wind warnings were in effect throughout Yeongdong, including Gangneung.
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