Gangneung Wildfire 'Main Fire Extinguished'... "3 People Suffered Burns, Nighttime Mopping Up Continues"

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 11 Apr.2023 16:44(KST)

The main fire of the Gangneung wildfire has been extinguished. It took 7 hours since the wildfire broke out.

On the 11th, a wildfire that started in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province spread to a pension near Gyeongpo, driven by strong winds amid dry weather. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 11th, the forestry authorities announced that as of 4:30 PM that day, the main fire of the Gangneung wildfire had been extinguished.

The wildfire started at 8:30 AM that day in a hill area in Nangok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The forestry authorities have confirmed that so far, 71 locations including houses and pensions were completely burned down, and one cultural property suffered partial damage.

There were also 3 casualties. The forestry authorities confirmed that two residents who were evacuating from the fire suffered second-degree burns from the flames, and one firefighter involved in the extinguishing activities sustained second-degree burns on the chest.

Due to the wildfire, 557 residents living in Nangok-dong and surrounding areas had to take shelter at Ice Arena (528 people), Sacheon Middle School (29 people), and other locations.

Currently, the forestry authorities estimate that the fire was caused by electrical sparks generated when wind broke tree branches and short-circuited power lines.

A forestry official said, “The main fire was extinguished about 7 hours after the wildfire started,” but added, “However, since there is still mop-up work remaining, firefighting activities will continue overnight.”