Gangneung Wildfire Spreading to Coastline... Fire Response at Highest Level 3 (Comprehensive)

The National Fire Agency issued the highest response level, Fire Response Level 3, and Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 2 for the wildfire that occurred in Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province on the 11th. This is the first time this year that Fire Response Level 3 has been issued due to a wildfire.

On the morning of the 11th, a fire that broke out on a hill in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province, has spread, causing multiple residential fire damages. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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According to the fire authorities, the wildfire broke out around 8:30 a.m. in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, and the flames are currently spreading to residential areas and coastal areas driven by strong winds. The National Fire Agency issued Response Level 2 at 9:18 a.m. and then escalated it to Response Level 3 at 9:43 a.m. Fire Response Level 1 is handled with resources from one city/county/district, Level 2 with resources from 2 to 4 city/county/districts, and Level 3 involves mobilization of resources from five or more city/county/districts.

The National Fire Agency also issued Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 2. Fire mobilization orders are issued to support insufficient firefighting forces from other regions during large fires, accidents, or disasters. The levels increase according to the scale of mobilization: No. 1 (5% of on-duty firefighting forces), No. 2 (10%), and No. 3 (20%). No. 1 mobilizes fewer than 250 personnel, No. 2 mobilizes between 250 and 499 personnel, and No. 3 mobilizes 500 or more personnel. In terms of equipment, No. 1 involves fewer than 100 fire trucks, No. 2 involves between 100 and 199 fire trucks, and No. 3 involves 200 or more fire trucks. The mobilization area for No. 1 is fewer than 8 provinces, No. 2 covers 8 to 13 provinces, and No. 3 covers 14 or more provinces.

Earlier, the National Fire Agency issued Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 1 at 9:29 a.m., which was then escalated to No. 2 at 9:42 a.m. Currently, 235 firefighting personnel have been deployed, and the National Fire Agency’s Central Emergency Rescue Control Team is also operational. The Director of Equipment and Technology Bureau has been dispatched to the site as the situation manager, and deployment of the Ulsan large-capacity water cannon system has been ordered. Nam Hwajeong, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, also departed for the Gangneung wildfire site.

A wildfire broke out around 8:30 AM on the 11th in the Nanggok-dong 4 area of Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, with flames rising high. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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The Korea Forest Service also issued Wildfire Alert Level 2 at 10 a.m. Wildfire Alert Level 2 is issued when the average wind speed is 7 m/s or higher, the expected damage area is between 30 and 100 hectares, and the firefighting time is expected to be less than 24 hours.

The fire is presumed to have spread to a wildfire after a pine tree broke and touched power lines, igniting sparks. On this day, dry warnings and strong wind warnings were issued across the Yeongdong region, including Gangneung. The fire is spreading toward residential areas and the coast driven by strong winds. Out of about 10 nearby houses, currently 4 to 5 have caught fire. The forestry authorities are conducting firefighting operations with six helicopters including a super-large helicopter, 43 pieces of equipment, and 333 firefighters.

The forestry authorities expect the fire to spread to a nearby pension complex, with some pensions already catching fire, potentially increasing the scale of damage. So far, there have been no casualties, and about 10 residents of Nangok-dong have evacuated to Gangneung Ice Arena and Gyeongpodae-dong Community Center. Students from Gyeongpodae Elementary School were also evacuated using Edu buses to Chodang Elementary School, which is far from the fire site.

On the morning of the 11th, a fire broke out on a hill in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province, burning a house. Currently, both a strong wind warning and a dry weather warning are in effect in Gangneung.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Gangneung City sent disaster safety messages to residents of seven districts including Gyeongpodae-dong 10th, 11th, and 13th districts, instructing them to evacuate to Gyeongpodae-dong Community Center and Ice Arena. Messages were also sent to residents of Sandaewol-ri and Sanpo-ri to evacuate to Sacheon Middle School gymnasium. Some guests staying at nearby resorts and other accommodations are also evacuating to safe locations in preparation for any emergencies.

Kim Seong-ho, Director of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, also instructed, "The Korea Forest Service, National Fire Agency, and local governments should quickly deploy all available resources to minimize damage." He also urged, "Establish thorough firebreaks to prevent damage to residential areas and ensure residents in areas at risk of fire spread evacuate in advance."

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