South Korean, authorities intensified the deployment of helicopters on Monday to combat the wildfires ravaging the southeastern county of Sancheong for the fourth consecutive day. Additionally, the fire has spread to the neighboring county of Hadong, according to officials.
According to the provincial government, as of Monday morning, 35 helicopters had been mobilized in both counties, located in South Gyeongsang Province, about 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in an effort to contain the flames.
The ground operation also involves 2,341 firefighters and soldiers, whose primary mission is to prevent the fire from reaching homes and infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defense reported that approximately 1,350 soldiers from the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force have been deployed to assist in containing the fire and providing medical aid. Additionally, 35 military helicopters have been mobilized to support firefighting efforts.
Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou stated in a press conference that commanders on the ground have been instructed to prioritize the safety of deployed personnel. Furthermore, military units must take extra precautions during live-fire exercises to prevent new fires.
The fire in Sancheong, which broke out last Friday, has claimed the lives of four firefighters, injured six people, and destroyed 16 homes, two factories, nine warehouses, and two Buddhist temples. Subsequently, the fire spread to Hadong, forcing the evacuation of 589 people from 387 households in both counties.
According to the government, as of 6:00 a.m. on Monday, firefighters had managed to contain 70% of the fire in Sancheong.
