Raging Wildfire in Hadong, South Korea Forces Evacuation of 326 Residents

A significant wildfire broke out in Okjong-myeon, Hadong County, South Korea, prompting the evacuation of 326 residents as authorities struggle to contain the blaze. The fire, which started on a mountain in Hoesin-ri, has already impacted approximately 65.1 hectares of land.

As of 7 PM KST, the fire was only 87% contained. During the day, the Korea Forest Service deployed 36 helicopters, 72 pieces of equipment, and 753 personnel to combat the fire, but were unable to fully extinguish the main blaze before sunset. All helicopters have been withdrawn for the night, but 518 personnel remain on-site to continue the fight through the night.

Officials report that the total fire line spanned about 4.6 kilometers, with approximately 4 kilometers already extinguished, leaving a remaining fire line of about 0.6 kilometers. The Korea Forest Service has stated they are mobilizing all available resources to tackle the wildfire overnight, emphasizing the importance of safety during these operations.

The fire reportedly started around 12:05 PM KST in a mountainous area of Hoesin-ri, located about 3 kilometers from where a previous wildfire in Sancheong had spread last month. The Korea Forest Service issued a Level 1 wildfire alert at 1:45 PM KST, escalating it to Level 2 by 3:30 PM KST. Level 2 alerts are issued when the expected damage area is between 50 and 100 hectares.

The area is experiencing north-northeast winds with maximum speeds of 8 meters per second, complicating firefighting efforts. The Hadong County authorities have directed residents of Hoesin and Yangji villages to evacuate to Okcheon Hall and Okjong High School. Currently, 214 of the 326 evacuees are staying at these shelters.

Residents are anxious following the recent large-scale wildfire. Park Chun-ki, the 78-year-old village chief of Hoesin, reported being evacuated from a hospital and highlighted the difficulties faced by the many elderly residents in evacuating.

In related incidents, a man in his 70s near the fire’s origin suffered burns to both hands while attempting to extinguish the fire himself. It is suspected the fire may have started due to his use of a brush cutter. Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause and assess the full extent of the damage after the fire is fully extinguished.

Ko Ki-dong, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, has urged all relevant agencies to mobilize every available resource for the rapid containment of the wildfire. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety of residents in affected areas, including prompt evacuations and the establishment of firebreaks, and ensuring the safety of all firefighting personnel.