[26.01.10] Uiseong Wildfire Spreads in Strong Winds, Contained by Snowstorm

Another Major Wildfire in Uiseong…Strong Winds Spread Flames Before Snowstorm Contained Fire

📍343 Residents Evacuated, 93 Hectares Affected, No Casualties Reported

Another major wildfire broke out in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. Flames spread rapidly amid strong winds but were dramatically weakened by an evening snowstorm, allowing authorities to contain the main fire without any casualties.

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🔹 Flames Spread Toward Andong Amid Strong Winds
According to forest authorities, the wildfire broke out at around 3:15 p.m. on the 10th at a mountain ridge 150 meters above sea level in Bibong-ri, Uiseong-eup. At the time, northwesterly winds with gusts of up to 6.4 meters per second and an average speed of 4.7 meters per second were recorded, while humidity stood at just 33 percent.

The fire rapidly spread in the direction of Andong under the influence of strong winds. A strong wind advisory had been issued for the entire Uiseong area earlier that morning.

🔹 Preemptive Evacuation of 343 Residents
As the fire threatened nearby villages, Uiseong County ordered residents of Oro-ri, Palseong-ri, and Bibong-ri to evacuate to Uiseong Gymnasium, later revising the order to evacuate to local community centers and senior halls.

A total of 343 residents were evacuated. Andong City also sent emergency alerts urging residents of nearby Giran-myeon to exercise caution.

🔹 Helicopters and Ground Crews Deployed
Forest authorities issued a Level 2 firefighting response at 3:41 p.m. and a Level 2 wildfire alert at 4:30 p.m., mobilizing all available resources.

Ten firefighting helicopters were deployed, though some were unable to take off due to strong winds. On the ground, 52 vehicles and 315 personnel—including local officials, wildfire crews, firefighters, and police—worked to prevent the flames from reaching residential areas.

🔹 Snowstorm Turns the Tide
The situation changed dramatically around 5:45 p.m. when a snowstorm hit the area. As snow began to fall on the fire site, the intensity of the flames rapidly weakened.

Residents, haunted by memories of last spring’s massive wildfire, waited anxiously in evacuation centers before breathing a sigh of relief as the fire subsided.

🔹 Main Fire Contained, Cleanup Underway
The Korea Forest Service officially declared the main fire contained at 6:30 p.m. The affected area is estimated at approximately 93 hectares, with no injuries reported.

Uiseong County Mayor Kim Joo-soo said, “The main fire was contained around 6 p.m. as helicopters withdrew, and we plan to focus on extinguishing residual embers overnight.”

Authorities have deployed 913 personnel for mop-up operations and monitoring to prevent reignition. Evacuated residents are expected to return home gradually, while investigations into the cause and exact damage continue.

One-line summary : A major wildfire in Uiseong spread rapidly in strong winds but was contained after a snowstorm weakened the flames, allowing evacuees to return safely.