Daegu: The National Fire Agency (NFA) issued an emergency response order on Monday to mobilize available national personnel and equipment to combat a spreading fire in the southeastern city of Daegu, officials said. The order came approximately two hours after the blaze began at around 2 p.m. on Mount Hamji, located about 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and was advancing towards nearby villages.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the emergency directive facilitated the deployment of an additional 28 fire engines to bolster the efforts to extinguish the flames. These resources supplemented the 67 fire engines and 29 fire helicopters already engaged in firefighting operations. No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities have instructed nearby residents to evacuate to local elementary schools for safety.
Acting President Han Duck-soo has directed relevant authorities to "use all available equipment and personnel" to quench the fire and ensure the safe evacuation of residents. "As the wildfire is spreading rapidly due to strong winds and there are residential areas nearby, make sure to take all necessary measures for emergency rescue and evacuation to prevent any loss of life," he emphasized.
The Korea Forest Service has also escalated the situation by issuing a Level 3 wildfire response, the highest in its three-tier scale, driven by the strong winds that continue to fan the flames. This level is declared when wind speeds exceed 7 meters per second, the expected damage area surpasses 100 hectares, and firefighting efforts are projected to extend beyond 24 hours.
By 6 p.m., approximately 57 hectares of land had been affected by the fire, with fire authorities reporting a containment rate of 14.5 percent.