Military deploys 5,000 personnel, 146 helicopters to combat wildfires

The military has deployed some 5,000 service members and 146 helicopters to help combat wildfires raging in Korea's southeastern regions since last week, the defense ministry said Tuesday.

Since Friday, wildfires have ravaged multiple southeastern counties, including Sancheong, burning more than 14,000 hectares of woodland and leading to 15 casualties, including four deaths.

The ministry said it is actively supporting efforts to extinguish the wildfires, deploying helicopters for the fifth straight day. As of Tuesday, it had also provided 95,000 gallons of fuel for non-military helicopters battling the blaze.

"While maintaining the military's readiness posture, (we) will protect the lives and property of the people by actively mobilizing military assets to national disaster sites," the ministry said. (Yonhap)