Gangneung Nangok-dong 'Wildfire Level 3'... "Helicopter Deployment Impossible Due to Strong Winds"

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 11 Apr.2023 10:56(KST)

Updated 11 Apr.2023 11:15(KST)

The wildfire alert level in the Gangneung area of Gangwon has been raised to level 3.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Just one hour after the level 1 alert was issued, strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, making it impossible to carry out firefighting operations using helicopters at the site.

On the 11th, the forestry authorities issued a level 3 wildfire alert at 10:30 a.m., only one hour after initially issuing a level 1 alert at 9:30 a.m.

Smoke from a wildfire is rising into the sky in the Nangok-dong area of Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

Currently, at the Nanggok-dong wildfire site, strong winds with gusts of 30 m/s are causing the flames to spread rapidly.

Because of this, the helicopters initially planned for deployment are unable to participate in firefighting activities and are on standby.

The firefighting effort involves 518 personnel, including 147 special wildfire suppression team members, 172 forestry officials, 95 firefighting officials, and 104 others, along with 77 pieces of equipment such as 36 wildfire suppression and command vehicles, 29 fire trucks, and 12 other vehicles.

As of 10:30 a.m., forestry authorities estimate that 4 residential buildings and 2 pension houses have been completely destroyed. The wildfire-affected area is estimated at 90 hectares, with a fire line of approximately 6.0 km.

A forestry official stated, "Currently, due to strong winds, helicopter firefighting is difficult, so ground personnel such as the special wildfire suppression team are focusing on wildfire suppression using high-performance firefighting equipment. Once wind speeds drop to a level suitable for helicopter operations (below 20 m/s), helicopters will be immediately deployed to the site."

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