The wildfire in Sancheong, a southeastern county in South Korea, continues to ravage the area, prompting expanded evacuation orders and ongoing firefighting efforts.
As strong winds worsen the situation, firefighting teams are struggling to contain the blaze, which has now spread to 290 hectares.
The local county office in Sancheong issued evacuation notices to residents and visitors in eight nearby towns at 3 PM on Saturday, urging them to relocate to safer areas.
The expanded evacuation follows the initial order the previous day, which had required 213 residents from seven villages to seek refuge at a nearby research center.
A resident from these villages received hospital treatment after inhaling smoke, but fortunately, authorities have reported no other casualties.
As of 3 PM. on Saturday, the firefighting efforts had successfully extinguished 65% of the blaze, though this figure was down from an earlier 70% at 10:30 AM.
Firefighters continue to face challenges due to the strong winds, which have made it difficult to control the spread of the fire.
Emergency Measures & Leadership Response
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered the mobilization of all possible resources and personnel to extinguish the fire before sunset.
He emphasized ensuring the safety of both residents and firefighting personnel, urging preparations in case the fire continues into the night.
The government has issued the highest level of emergency response to contain the fire, which broke out around 3:26 PM on Friday.
Authorities have been working tirelessly, deploying multiple firefighting teams to manage the crisis.
Authorities have stated that they will determine the exact cause of the blaze once the fire is fully extinguished.
The first report indicated that a spark from mowing machinery ignited nearby vegetation, starting the fire.
Continued Efforts & Investigation
Despite the challenges, authorities remain committed to addressing the wildfire and protecting the lives and properties of local residents.
Following the completion of firefighting efforts, investigators will look into the cause of the blaze in more detail.
The crisis highlights the ongoing risks posed by wildfires in the region, especially with the added complication of severe weather conditions.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are focusing on rapid containment and ensuring that no further harm comes to the community.
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