A major wildfire broke out on March 22, 2025, near Gwaesan-ri in Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, causing widespread concern and prompting urgent evacuation efforts. The fire started at approximately 11:24 AM, and by 2:10 PM, a Level 3 wildfire response was declared, which is the highest alert level. The alert comes when an estimated damage area exceeds 100 hectares and is expected to take more than 24 hours to contain.
As of 4:00 PM, about 132 households, totaling 171 residents, were evacuated to safer locations such as the Uiseong Indoor Gymnasium and nearby community centers due to the fire's rapid spread, fanned by strong winds. Among those evacuated were approximately 70 patients and staff from a local nursing hospital, with some individuals being further transported to hospitals in the Andong area for additional safety.
The wildfire initially emerged in the mountainous area surrounding Gwaesan-ri, igniting fears as it quickly progressed towards Uiseong-eup, threatening residential areas. Authorities have mobilized an impressive array of resources, including 27 helicopters, 36 firefighting vehicles, and 375 personnel, to combat the blaze. However, the containment efforts have proven difficult. Currently, the containment rate stands at just 30%, and reports indicate that flames have leaped from the initial fire site, leading to spot fires on nearby buildings and power poles.
In specific regional statistics, the evacuations included 80 households with 100 residents from Cheopa-ri, 18 households and 21 residents from Sinwol-ri in Anpyeong-myeon, 15 households and 26 residents from Bunto 2-ri in Bongyang-myeon, along with additional smaller evacuations from other nearby districts. Alerts about the fire's direction and safety instructions have been extensively disseminated via disaster text messages to local residents.
Choi Sang-mok, acting president of South Korea, underscored the urgency of the situation by stating, "We will mobilize all available resources for rapid fire containment before sunset." He emphasized that all involved municipalities, including the Uiseong County office, are tasked with ensuring the safety of both residents and rescue personnel as they navigate through this crisis.
Even with strong winds reported at an average of 5.6 meters per second, which is expected to exacerbate the fire's spread, local firefighting efforts are dedicated to halting any further encroachment into populated areas. By 4:28 PM, urgent notices were issued to residents in Hujeuk 3-ri, Cheopa-ri, and Wondang 2-ri to seek immediate shelter.
The Korea Forest Service remains actively engaged, continually monitoring the situation as they adapt their strategies to effectively combat this disaster. Enhanced safety measures are operational, with the Forest Service and local agencies striving to prevent any casualties and maintain operational integrity of the firefighting personnel.
As night falls, the residents of Uiseong County remain alert, facing the harsh reality of the wildfire, as authorities work tirelessly to bring the uncontrollable blaze under control. All eyes are now on the firefighting teams as they brace for continued challenges posed by the weather and the terrain in their efforts to protect the lives and properties of the residents.
In light of such wildfires rising in frequency and severity, it’s clear that concerted efforts and strategic planning will be necessary to enhance fire management in the region, as this incident continues to unfold.
