Wildfires becoming uncontrollable in Uiseong

Wildfires in the southeastern county of Uiseong appear to be getting out of control due to unpredictable strong winds and extremely dry weather, government officials said Tuesday, citing a gradual drop in the area's fire extinguishing rate.

The forest area affected by the wildfires in Uiseong, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, increased by over 4,000 hectares overnight to 12,699 ha as of early Tuesday morning, despite all-out firefighting efforts by authorities.

According to the Korea Forest Service, Uiseong's fire extinguishing rate has moved backwards over the past day, dropping from 60 percent on Monday evening to 54 percent as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.

A combination of unpredictable strong winds and extremely dry weather is hampering firefighting efforts there, the officials said.

As the forest fire is protracted, the fatigue of firefighters appears to be building up, they said, noting a firefighter from the Sangju Fire Station was rushed to a hospital Monday afternoon after showing symptoms of dizziness and vomiting during a firefighting operation in Uiseong.

Authorities plan to mobilize 77 helicopters and 3,154 personnel on the day to contain the wildfires in Uiseong, as the blaze has spread to the adjacent city of Andong. (Yonhap)