Massive wildfire wreaks havoc on Gangwon towns

Burnt out vehicles fill a junkyard in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, Friday, after a massive forest fire, which started in the neighboring town of Goseong the previous night, spread to the eastern coastal city. /Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

A series of fires wreaked havoc on eastern coastal cities in Gangwon Province, from Thursday night to Friday, killing one person and forcing more than 4,000 to be evacuated from their homes.

The government declared a national disaster Friday morning as the damage mounted up, especially around Goseong; and is also considering designating the affected regions natural disaster areas to provide better support. A state of disaster is proclaimed when there is an urgent need to deploy emergency measures to minimize casualties and damage in the event of a major catastrophe.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the fire in Goseong started by a roadside at around 7:17 p.m. Thursday, and spread quickly to neighboring areas, especially around Sokcho as strong winds fanned the flames.

Earlier in the afternoon, a separate fire broke out on one mountain in Inje, and another near Gangneung at about 11:50 p.m. that spread to Donghae.

A 60-year-old man died from the fire in Goseong, and another was seriously injured while more than 30 people have been treated for minor injuries.

About 130 houses, 11 warehouses and other buildings were destroyed in five towns and counties in the area, and more than 4,000 residents and tourists at holiday destinations in the province were evacuated, according to the authorities.

The Korea Forestry Service said about 250 hectares of forest was burnt down in Goseong alone, nearly the size of 735 soccer fields, as well as another 250 hectares in Gangneung and 25 hectares in Inje.

Roads and railways in the regions were also cut off, while 52 schools and other public facilities were closed by local administrations.

About 50 firefighting and military helicopters, 870 fire trucks and 13,000 firefighters including those from the military and police have been deployed to contain the fire and help with evacuations, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said.

The authorities are figuring out the exact cause of the fires. In the case of the one in Goseong, witnesses said they saw and heard an explosion from a telephone pole. The Korea Electric Power Corp. said the switch on the pole was unlikely to explode on its own, suspecting a spark was created from exposed wires that ignited dust in the dry air.

President Moon Jae-in is briefed on ongoing efforts to contain a massive fire in Goseong, Gangwon Province, during an emergency meeting held at the National Crisis Control Center at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in, who attended meetings at the National Crisis Control Center in Cheong Wa Dae twice since Thursday night, ordered the government to consider designating affected regions special disaster areas (SDA) after being informed of the extent of the destruction, according to the presidential office. He later paid a visit to the east coast regions to inspect the damage there.

If designated as an SDA, residents of the affected regions can get government support in administration, finance and medical treatment.

Moon also ordered the use of all available resources to extinguish the fires. He held a teleconference with Interior and Safety Minister Kim Boo-kyum who had headed to Goseong immediately, to be briefed on the ongoing containment procedures.

“Please try your utmost until even embers are completely contained, and mobilize all possible forces from local governments and the military,” Moon was quoted as saying by the presidential office.

He also called for special attention to be paid those who were made homeless by the fire, urging measures such as the provision of daily necessities, medical support and psychological counseling if necessary.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon also visited the affected regions. “Although the prevention of such natural disasters might be impossible, we have to minimize the damage. The prevention of casualties is the top priority,” Lee said.