Wildfire Scene Captured on Firefighter Bodycam

Black Smoke and Debris Mixed with Strong Winds Suddenly Sweep Over

Some Crew Members Endure by Crouching Down

Over the weekend, a wildfire that started in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, has been threatening Andong, and the scenes of firefighters battling fiercely to extinguish the fire have been revealed. On the 25th, an approximately 15-second video titled "Firefighter Bodycam at Wildfire Site" was posted on an online community. Online community

원본보기 아이콘

As the wildfire that started last weekend in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, is now threatening Andong, footage has been released showing firefighters battling to contain the blaze. On the 25th, a video titled "Wildfire Scene Firefighter Bodycam" about 15 seconds long was posted on an online community. The video captures firefighters struggling in a situation where strong winds have intensified the flames.

Amid thick smoke with zero visibility, North Gyeongsang 119 crew members hurriedly gather their equipment as urgent shouts of "Hey! Watch out! Wind behind you!" are heard. Then, with panicked voices yelling "It's coming! It's coming! It's coming!", a sudden gust mixed with black smoke and debris sweeps over them. The crew members crouch down to withstand the strong wind; some are seen staggering from its force. Mountain ridges are visible on both sides of the crew.

Viewers of the video commented, "I truly respect firefighters," "Ah, this is why helicopters can't take off in these strong winds," and "My heart was pounding the whole time I watched." One user remarked, "Movies make it seem like as long as you don't touch the fire, you'll be fine, but in reality, when there's a wildfire, just being nearby makes your face burn and the air quality is so bad you can barely breathe."

As the wildfire in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, entered its fifth day, the death toll rose to 18 overnight. Most of the victims were residents who could not escape the rapidly spreading fire in time. On the 26th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that 14 people had died in North Gyeongsang and 4 in South Gyeongsang due to the wildfire. There were a total of 19 injured?6 seriously and 13 with minor injuries?mainly concentrated in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan. The fire also destroyed 209 structures, including homes, factories, and cultural assets, and forced more than 27,000 people to evacuate. The areas expected to be affected by the wildfire cover 17,534 hectares across six regions, with the damage in Uiseong and Andong alone reaching 15,000 hectares.

With the number of casualties and damage increasing, fire authorities are expected to begin a full investigation into the cause of the wildfire after it is completely extinguished. If it is confirmed that the Uiseong wildfire was caused by a visitor to a family grave, severe punishment and claims for compensation for forest damage and firefighting costs are likely to follow. On the 25th, the Korea Forest Service sent a safety alert message stating, "A small mistake can cause a major wildfire. Even if a wildfire is started by accident, you can face up to three years in prison. Please be cautious with fire near forests."

A fire caused by embers carried by strong winds from a wildfire occurred in Hawha 1-ri, Danchon-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, on the 25th, the fourth day since the wildfire started. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 25th, a fire is spreading in the hills near Namseon-myeon, Andong City, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 25th, a fire spread to a hillside next to a road in Imha-myeon, Andong City, Gyeongbuk Province. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 26th, the valley village of Hwamae 1-ri in Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, was devastated by a wildfire. Numerous fatalities occurred in Seokbo-myeon due to the wildfire. Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 25th, a hill in Iljikmyeon, Andong City, viewed near Namandong IC in Andong, Gyeongbuk, is burning. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 25th, the fourth day since the wildfire broke out in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk, a firefighter is extinguishing a fire caused by embers from the wildfire in Hawha 1-ri, Danchon-myeon, Uiseong County. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘