National Fire Mobilization Order Reissued for Gyeongju Wildfire as Dry Weather and Strong Winds Create ‘Double Disaster’

As a wildfire that started in the area of Ipcheon-ri, Munmu-daewang-myeon in Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, continued to grow for a second day due to strong winds and dry weather, the National Fire Agency (NFA) issued the second stage of the National Fire Mobilization Order on the 8th.
According to the NFA, the wildfire was first reported at 9:40 p.m. on the 7th. In anticipation of further spread, fire authorities issued a Level 1 Fire Response at 10:11 p.m. the same day and began initial suppression efforts. As the blaze intensified under adverse weather conditions, the NFA issued the first stage of the National Fire Mobilization Order at 11:33 a.m. on the 8th, followed by a second-stage mobilization at 3:30 p.m.
Under the first-stage National Fire Mobilization Order, five vehicles and 25 personnel from the 119 Special Response Units of five regional governments—Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gangwon Province, and South Chungcheong Province—were urgently dispatched to the scene to halt the spread of the fire and establish defensive lines.
The NFA said it immediately activated an emergency response team and dispatched an on-site incident commander to strengthen command and control. It also deployed additional disaster recovery vehicles from Ulsan, Daegu, and Busan to prepare for a prolonged operation. In line with the second-stage mobilization, the agency further sent five specialized wildfire suppression vehicles, 20 fire engines, and 10 water tankers from nearby jurisdictions including Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province, and Changwon, significantly boosting ground firefighting capacity.
Minister of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) Yoon Ho-jung issued an emergency directive, saying, "We will make every effort to ensure the fire does not escalate into a major wildfire and can be brought under control at an early stage." Yoon also instructed, "Mobilize all available equipment and personnel as quickly and as fully as possible from the Korea Forest Service (KFS), the NFA, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), North Gyeongsang Province, Gyeongju City, and other relevant bodies."
He stressed in particular, "Swiftly evacuate additional residents from areas at risk due to the spread of the wildfire, and take preemptive measures such as establishing firebreaks so that no casualties occur as a top priority." He added, "Ensure the safety of residents who have already been evacuated until the end, and pay special attention to the safety of firefighting personnel, including members of the specialized wildfire suppression unit."
spring@fnnews.com Lee Bomi Reporter