SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - A wildfire that broke out in Inje, Gangwon Province, was brought under control after nearly 20 hours, authorities said Sunday.
The Korea Forest Service and firefighting officials confirmed that the main flames were extinguished by around 9 a.m. Sunday. Crews remained on-site with six helicopters, 105 personnel, and 11 firefighting vehicles to tackle any remaining embers and monitor the area for flare-ups.
The fire damaged an estimated 73 hectares (180 acres) of forest. With the situation stabilized, 254 evacuees from Inje County who had taken shelter in local gymnasiums were able to return home. Thirty residents from 19 villages in nearby Yangyang County also returned safely.
Traffic restrictions that had been imposed on sections of the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway were lifted. According to the Gangwon Regional Headquarters of Korea Expressway Corporation, traffic resumed around 8:25 a.m. Sunday, along both the 35-kilometer (22-mile) stretch between Yangyang Junction and Inje Interchange and the 73-kilometer section between Donghongcheon Interchange and Yangyang Junction.
Officials noted that the fire had triggered a "Level 2" wildfire alert, which is issued when the anticipated damage covers 50 to 100 hectares (123 to 247 acres), the average wind speed is between 7 and 11 meters per second (16 to 25 miles per hour), and full containment is expected to take between 10 and 48 hours.
The blaze started around 1:18 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area near the Sangnam 7 Tunnel on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Fortunately, no casualties or damage to buildings were reported.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Early findings suggest human negligence may be to blame, as the blaze began near a residential and pension complex and quickly spread after igniting close to a pile of rocks.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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