Wildfire contained in Yeongdeok

National Forest Service President Choi Byeong-am, right, directs firefighting operations in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 17. Courtesy of National Forest Service

40 helicopters, 126 firetrucks, 2,700 ground units ensured zero human casualties

By Ko Dong-hwan

A wildfire in the mountainous Yeongdeok County region has been contained in less than two days, after the national forest authority promptly deployed a massive force using firefighting equipment and personnel.

The fire was first reported in Samwha-ri area in the North Gyeongsang provincial county at 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 16 and continued until 2:30 p.m. the following day. The fire burned about 400 hectares in total.

The National Forest Service (NFS) flew 40 large firefighting helicopters over the region as soon as the sun rose on Thursday. They were supported on the ground by 54 firetrucks, 126 fire engines, 500 fire suppressors, 1,200 public officials, 645 emergency rescue personnel and 300 soldiers. The fire was contained in 36 hours, while ground personnel kept searching for potentially hidden underground fires so as to prevent the fire's further spread.

“This fire reignited 15 hours after the previous fire on Feb. 15 was deemed to be completely put out,” said NFS President Choi Byeong-am, who oversaw the firefighting operation at the site from Wednesday until the next day. “It was one of those examples that frequently transpires because the remaining hidden underground fire wasn't fully taken care of.” He advised county officials to spare no efforts in searching and extinguishing the remaining fires.

He said 150 wildfires have occurred in the country this year so far, 30 percent of which happened overnight. He reminded hikers not to carry anything that might cause a fire and told local residents not to burn trash or anything else near mountains.

North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo said after the fire was contained that he was thankful the fire was stopped before it could grow out of control and threaten human life.

Over 300 residents from 192 households in Samhwa-ri were evacuated to a local community center, leaving no one in the path of the fire. Helicopters also successfully extinguished the fire before it damaged power lines connected to electricity towers at the site of the fire which deliver power to Cheongsong County, west of Yeongdeok, according to the governor.

The fire wasn't easy to contain at first as it spread due to the dry atmosphere and thick pine tree forests and was fanned by strong winds.

To prevent the fire from becoming uncontainable, Choi issued a level 3 wildfire emergency code warning, which enables authorities to scramble all available mechanical and personnel units from various regions to the site.