Gangwon Gangneung 'Wildfire Level 1 to Level 2' Raised... "Suspected Cause: Short Circuit"

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 11 Apr.2023 10:13(KST)

Updated 11 Apr.2023 11:24(KST)

Wildfire warnings have been raised in the Gangneung area of Gangwon Province. The wildfire is reported to be spreading rapidly as wind speeds reached 30m/s.

On the 11th, smoke from the flames rose into the sky at a forest site in Nangok-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

According to the Korea Forest Service Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters on the 11th, the wildfire in Gangwon occurred at around 8:30 a.m. in the Nangok-dong area of Gangneung City, Gangwon Province.

The Korea Forest Service issued a Level 1 wildfire alert for the Nangok-dong area at 9:30 a.m., but due to strong winds causing the flames to spread quickly, the wildfire warning was upgraded to Level 2 as of 10 a.m.

As of 10 a.m., it has been confirmed that two houses were completely destroyed and approximately 32 hectares of forest were lost due to the wildfire.

The Korea Forest Service explained that about 10 residents in the Nangok-dong area are evacuating to locations such as Gangneung Ice Arena and Gyeongpo-dong Community Center to escape the wildfire.

Fire ignition point and wildfire progression direction in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

For firefighting efforts, a total of six helicopters, including two super-large helicopters, 342 firefighting personnel, and 45 pieces of equipment such as wildfire suppression vehicles have been urgently deployed.

Meanwhile, forest authorities estimate that the wildfire in Nangok-dong was caused by a power line short circuit resulting from pine trees breaking due to the strong winds.