Andong Wildfire▶ Click here for a larger view
Forest fires have spread in Andong and Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and forest and firefighting authorities have started to extinguish them, but they are not easily extinguished due to the dry weather and wind.
The forestry and firefighting authorities plan to build protective ships to prevent further fires from spreading, and mobilize helicopters as soon as the day comes to extinguish them again.
At 3:20 p.m. on the 21st, a fire is spreading around the mountain at Mangcheon-ri, Imdong-myeon, Andong-si.
The forestry and fire departments are using helicopters and fire trucks to extinguish the fire, but the forest fire spread to the surroundings, and the second stage of response was issued at 5:48 pm.
Accordingly, the fire departments of Gyeongnam, Daegu, Ulsan, Changwon, Chungnam, Daejeon, and Busan are mobilizing 49 fire engines and 122 manpower to evolve them on site.
Andong City and Forest Service also mobilized 780 people, 14 helicopters, and 20 fire engines.
However, the mountains at the point where the fire spread was harsh, there were many dry trees, and the wind blew, making it difficult for forest and fire authorities to extinguish.
At one time, fires spread to private houses and around the Gyeongbuk fire school, but it did not lead to significant damage.
As the fire started in Mangcheon-ri spread through the wind to the front of the village of Jungpyeong-ri, a few kilometers away, residents and visitors of the nearby campsite were hurriedly evacuated without carrying their luggage.
The flames have not faded in the mountains until 8 pm. The evolution rate is around 20%.
The city requires residents of Jungpyeong-ri, Imdong-myeon to evacuate to Sugok-ri and Gocheon-ri, etc., and controls some roads, including National Route 34 in the Sugok Bridge area near the Imdong-myeon office.
A city official said, “Users of National Route 34 must detour to expressways or other roads,” and “the road in front of the Gyeongbuk Independence Movement Memorial Hall is also controlled.”
Up to now, 450 people in 300 households have been evacuated, but no damage has occurred to private houses and people.
The forestry and fire departments are working hard to prevent further spreading with firefighting and stopping helicopters at night.
The forestry and firefighting authorities are planning to mobilize helicopters as soon as the day is bright to start evolving again.
At 4:12 pm, a fire broke out in Yecheon-gun, Gamcheon-myeon.
The forestry and firefighting authorities put 19 fire engines and three helicopters in place, and issued the first stage of response.
A forest fire spread from the wind, and Yecheon-gun ordered nearby residents to evacuate.
In Yeongju-si, residents of Galsan-ri and Hwagi-ri, Jangsu-myeon, close to the wildfires, were forced to evacuate.
Yecheon wildfire spreading around▶ Click here for a larger view
Wildfire spreading to the campsite▶ Click here for a larger view
Andong forest fire that spreads around private houses▶ Click here for a larger view
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