Gangneung Wildfire Spreads with Strong Winds...Burns Area Equivalent to 144 Soccer Fields

A wildfire that broke out on the 11th in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, is spreading rapidly due to strong winds, causing increasing damage.

According to the forestry authorities, as of now, the wildfire has spread about 2 km from the point of origin to the coastline and is continuing to expand northward. The forestry authorities estimate that approximately 103 hectares of forest, equivalent to 144 times the size of a soccer field (0.714 ha), have been burned so far. In terms of facility damage, 128 houses and 12 pensions were completely or partially destroyed. Additionally, one other building and four hotels were damaged, bringing the total number of affected buildings in Gangwon-do to 40.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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At the site, black smoke is seen just behind Gyeongpodae Elementary School, and the fire has spread to the museum housing Edison’s inventions and even to Banghaejeong, Gangwon Province’s Tangible Cultural Property No. 50, suggesting that the actual scale of damage is expected to be much larger than currently estimated.

Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the areas of Gyeongpodong, Sandaewol-ri, and Sanpo-ri. So far, 303 people from 147 households have evacuated to Ice Arena (131 households, 278 people) and Sacheon Middle School (16 households, 25 people). Additionally, 708 people who were staying at nearby resorts and hotels have also evacuated. Students of Gyeongpodae Elementary School were evacuated using Edu buses to Chodang Elementary School, which is far from the fire site, and then sent home.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The Korea Forest Service raised the response level to 'Wildfire Level 3' at 10:30 a.m. on the same day. Wildfire Level 3 is issued when the expected damage area is between 100 and 3,000 hectares, the average wind speed exceeds 11 m/s, and the expected firefighting duration is between 24 and 48 hours.

The forestry authorities, together with the fire department, have deployed 107 firefighting vehicles and 1,410 firefighters to combat the fire. The Korea Forest Service dispatched two large helicopters, but due to instantaneous wind speeds reaching 60 m/s in the air, aerial firefighting was deemed impossible, and all helicopters were withdrawn.

On the morning of the 11th, a fire spreading on a hill in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province, is causing flames to rise near a beachside resort. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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The National Fire Agency issued the highest response level, Fire Response Level 3, and Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 2. This is the first time this year that Fire Response Level 3 has been issued due to a wildfire. Fire authorities are focusing all efforts on protecting houses, apartments, temples, and other facilities within the wildfire-affected area.

The wildfire is believed to have started around 8:22 a.m. when a pine tree broke and touched power lines, igniting sparks that spread the fire. Currently, a dry weather warning and strong wind warning are in effect throughout Yeongdong, including Gangneung.

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