Firefighters battle a persistent wildfire at the entrance to Munmudaewang Mountain in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Province, where gale-force winds obscure visibility to the point that even snowflakes cannot penetrate. The blaze, which ignited on the afternoon of February 8, continues to spread, heightening anxiety among local residents.
Intense Firefighting Operations Underway
Regional firefighting teams deploy helicopters for water drops and foam application directly on the flames. Crews scoop water from nearby reservoirs and scatter retardant along access roads to contain the inferno. On mountain ridges, firefighters hike steep terrain, drenched in sweat, to spray suppressant on hotspots. Many have scaled the slopes multiple times, pushing through thick smoke and relentless gusts.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Efforts
Tremendous winds whip up dense smoke, creating overwhelming pressure that spins people around at the site. Fire Chief Kim Hak-cheol stated, “A massive blaze erupted on the mountain after 10 p.m., but we couldn’t fully impact the fire’s core.” He added, “Most crew members couldn’t even expose their faces.” Kim assessed that the gales propel flames straight into heavily wooded thickets, noting, “Flames are particularly fierce there—even the roar of helicopters scooping water echoes through the dense forest.”
Resident Son Mo, in his 60s, remarked, “These winds prevent flames from taking hold, making it impossible for even the world’s most advanced helicopters to approach—it’s terrifying.”
Damage Assessment and Evacuations
By 3 p.m., the affected area spans 52 hectares, with visibility at 67% before plunging to 23% as flames reignited under peak winds of 21.6 m/s. The fire originated from a lightning strike 8 kilometers inside the mountain on a pine tree, producing heavy smoke and airborne embers. While ground-level fire remains limited, flying sparks pose significant risks.
Authorities evacuated 109 people from 10 nearby villages, with 41 returning home. The remaining residents shelter in temporary facilities amid ongoing threats.
