Wildfire in Sancheong Spreads to Hadong, Forcing Evacuation of Over 800 Residents
KO YONG-CHUL Reporter
korocamia@naver.com | 2025-03-25 08:40:34
A wildfire that started in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, four days ago, continues to rage, rapidly spreading to Okjong-myeon, Hadong-gun, due to strong winds. As of 6 PM on the 24th, 814 residents from 468 households across 10 villages in Okjong-myeon, Hadong-gun, have been urgently evacuated to safety. Evacuation shelters have been set up in eight locations, including Okcheongwan (Multipurpose Center) and Okjong Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Some residents are staying with relatives.
Residents are expressing anxiety and fatigue. A 70-year-old resident of Angye Village said, "I never thought the wildfire would spread to our village. I just hope my house is safe." Another resident, who has been staying at a shelter for three days, expressed difficulties, saying, "I don't know when I can return home, I'm anxious, and I can't sleep properly."
The wildfire has spread rapidly due to strong westerly winds and the "firebrand phenomenon," where embers are carried by the wind to start new fires. Firefighting efforts, including helicopter operations, have been concentrated in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, making it difficult to control the fire in Hadong. At one point, the wildfire threatened to engulf the firefighting command center at the Duryang Village Hall.
The fire has destroyed the management building of Dubangjae, a national heritage site, and damaged a ginkgo tree in Duryang-ri, a Gyeongsangnam-do monument. A vinyl greenhouse-type warehouse was also completely burned down. Fortunately, there have been no casualties.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has declared Hadong-gun, which suffered significant damage from the wildfire, a special disaster area.
WEEKLY HOT
- 1서울~부산·강릉~부산 KTX-이음으로 3시간대 연결!
- 2Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Paraguay Successfully Hosts '2025 IGA Korean Cooking Course' in Collaboration with the Gastronomic Institute of the Americas (IGA)
- 3K-Consumables Pop-up Strategy Targets Central Japan Distribution Hub, K-Beauty Popularity Spreading
- 4'Grandparenting Paradox': Grandmothers Who Care for Grandchildren Have 22% Lower Risk of Frailty
- 5Pyelonephritis Often Mistaken for Flu, Early Diagnosis and Antibiotics Crucial
- 610th Cheonan World Christmas Festival Opens, Runs Until Dec. 25