Helicopters deployed to combat wildfires in Sancheong and Hadong

y deploy helicopters to fight the wildfires that have been ravaging Sancheong County for the past four days, with the fires now spreading into Hadong County. At least 36 helicopters have been dispatched to the two counties in South Gyeongsang Province, situated around 250 kilometers from Seoul, as a coordinated effort to contain the devastating wildfires. The provincial government revealed that on the ground, a total of 2,341 firefighters and soldiers have been mobilized to prevent the fires from encroaching on residential areas and other buildings.

In a bid to lend support and combat the inferno, the defense ministry announced that approximately 1,350 troops from various branches of the military – including the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force – along with 35 choppers, have been deployed. The overarching directive from the ministry is to ensure the safety of all personnel engaged in tackling the wildfire. Additionally, it has been emphasized that military units must exercise additional caution during firing drills to mitigate the risk of igniting new fires, as conveyed by ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou during a routine press briefing.

The fire outbreak in Sancheong, which originated last Friday, has resulted in the tragic loss of four firefighters, injuries to six individuals, and the destruction of 16 houses, two factories, nine warehouses, and two Buddhist temples. Regrettably, the flames have now encroached into Hadong, leading to the displacement of 589 residents from 387 households across both affected counties. Fortunately, reports indicate that firefighting efforts have made significant headway, successfully containing 70 percent of the wildfires in Sancheong by early Monday morning.

The concerted deployment of helicopters and ground personnel underscores the urgency and severity of the situation, as the conflagration continues to threaten lives and livelihoods in the region. As authorities and emergency response teams persist in their battle against the wildfires, the safety and well-being of all those involved remain paramount. The tireless efforts of firefighters, military personnel, and other frontline responders are crucial in containing the inferno and preventing further devastation to the affected communities.