[26.02.08] Gyeongju Wildfire Spreads as National Fire Mobilization Order Issued

Wildfire Spreads for Second Day in Gyeongju…National Fire Mobilization Order Issued

📍Strong winds drop containment from 60% to 23%; 106 residents evacuated, 40 helicopters deployed

A wildfire that broke out in Munmudaewang-myeon, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province has continued for a second day, prompting authorities to issue a national fire mobilization order. With strong winds and mountainous terrain hampering containment, the government has mobilized all available resources.

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🔹 National Fire Mobilization Order No.1
The National Fire Agency announced at 11:33 a.m. on the 8th that it issued “National Fire Mobilization Order No.1” for the wildfire in Ipcheon-ri.
This level is applied when a single province cannot manage the disaster alone and generally includes:

■ fewer than 250 personnel
■ fewer than 100 vehicles
■ fewer than eight provinces involved

Special response teams from five regions — Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gangwon, and South Chungcheong — were dispatched along with recovery vehicles from Ulsan, Daegu and Busan. A field command officer and an emergency response team were also deployed.

🔹 Strong Winds Reduce Containment
According to the Korea Forest Service, the fire began at about 9:40 p.m. on the 7th.
Containment was 23% as of noon on the 8th, down from 60% earlier due to strong winds of about 9 m/s.

Mountain ridges are amplifying the wind, significantly hindering firefighting efforts and raising the risk of re-ignition.

🔹 Damage and Evacuations
The affected area is estimated at about 42 hectares.
Authorities have deployed:

■ 40 helicopters
■ 104 fire vehicles
■ 298 personnel

A total of 106 nearby residents evacuated to community shelters, with some still remaining there.

🔹 Government Orders Full Response
Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung ordered agencies to prevent escalation into a major wildfire and emphasized rapid evacuation, firebreak construction, and protection of both residents and firefighters. 

🔹 Ongoing Response
Authorities will continue operations prioritizing resident safety and maintain deployment of all available equipment and personnel until full containment is achieved.

One-line summary : A spreading wildfire in Gyeongju has triggered a national fire mobilization order as authorities mobilize nationwide resources to contain it.