Wildfire spreads in South Korea southeastern counties

SEOUL, March 1 (BNA) Fast-spreading wildfires threatened homes in two southeastern counties on Monday, prompting nearly 100 residents to evacuate and firing at authorities to mobilize troops from neighboring cities and counties.

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) said the fire started on a hill in Hapcheon Province, 354 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at around 2 p.m. and spread north to nearby villages in Goryeong County in the late afternoon. There were no reports of injuries.

Authorities issued a Level 3 evacuation order to about 100 villagers at 5:30 p.m. There are three levels of evacuation in the event of a massive fire. Level 3 means the danger is currently affecting residents’ areas and they must leave immediately, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The agency said that about 29 helicopters and about 1,000 people were mobilized to put out the flames.

Fire engines and water tanks from Daegu, Ulsan, Busan, North Jeolla Province and South Jeolla Province were also sent to the scene.

The military said helicopters withdrew from the scene as night fell and firefighters and public servants were still trying to prevent the fire from spreading further overnight.

HF