Authorities have deployed 29 helicopters and hundreds of personnel to bring a wildfire in Inje, Gangwon Province, under control, with the blaze nearly 70 percent contained. The fire started Thursday afternoon on a hillside, leading to the evacuation of 12 residents but no casualties. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered swift evacuations and preparations for shelters.
The wildfire broke out around 5:29 p.m. on Thursday on a hillside in Inje, Gangwon Province, 132 kilometers east of Seoul, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Forestry officials reported that 338 personnel and 69 pieces of equipment were mobilized overnight to extinguish the fire, but the rugged mountain terrain hindered efforts.
As of 10 p.m., the fire line had extended to roughly 2.2 kilometers, with containment at 41 percent. Early Friday, a total of 29 helicopters were deployed to tackle the remaining flames, bringing the fire line to about 2.5 kilometers and containment to 68 percent, authorities said. The risk of the fire spreading to nearby houses or military bases appears low.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, briefed on the situation Thursday, ordered local authorities to ensure swift and safe evacuations of residents. He instructed municipalities to mobilize all necessary administrative resources for support and directed the Korea Forest Service to collaborate with the provincial government, fire agency, and defense ministry to secure equipment, focus on early containment, and prevent spread to other regions. Kim also called for sufficient preparation of evacuation shelters and emergency relief supplies to minimize inconvenience for evacuees.
No casualties have been reported, but 12 residents from nearby households were evacuated to senior centers and other facilities as a precaution. The government plans to investigate the cause and assess damage once the blaze is fully extinguished.
