The main blaze of a wildfire in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, was contained within three hours. Heavy snowfall helped slow the fire's spread, while authorities ordered evacuations and mobilized firefighting resources. The cause remains undetermined.
A wildfire broke out on a hillside in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, about 252 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at around 3:15 p.m. on January 10. This incident occurred less than a year after a major blaze ravaged the area last spring.
Authorities declared a Level 2 wildfire response at 3:41 p.m. and deployed 10 helicopters, 51 fire suppression vehicles, and 315 firefighters and other personnel. However, strong winds prevented some helicopters from taking off. As the fire spread rapidly, the government issued an evacuation order, directing nearby residents to move to their village community centers. Humidity at the site was measured at 33 percent.
Uiseong County Gov. Kim Joo-soo said, "The main blaze was contained at around 6 p.m., when helicopters withdrew from the scene. Firefighters will extinguish the remaining embers overnight."
Heavy snowfall in the area around the wildfire site on Saturday afternoon helped slow the fire's spread. A forest official stated, "An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way, and the government will deploy all available resources to prevent casualties."
The blaze serves as a reminder of last year's major fire and underscores the growing risks of wildfires amid climate change.
