Intensive fire operation in east coast forest fire
38 helicopters, 184 fire engines, 10,000 fire crews mobilized


April 6, 2004

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On April 4, forest fire started in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do burning 180 ha of forest. The fire caused extensive damages devouring one of the most historic Buddhist shrines, Naksan Temple, and some 160 homes.

On March 30, forest fire occurred in Goseong, Gangwon-do in the North Korean territory which was believed to have naturally extinguished on April 4. However, flames revived on April 5 spreading towards the South Korean territory burning 30 ha.

Korea Fores Service fully mobilized helicopters and suppression equipments in the early morning of the April 5 to control fire in the Gangwon-do area.
In Yangyang area, as soon as daybreak, 38 helicopters, 184 fire engines aided by Seoul and Incheon, and some 10,000 public officers, military, and police were mobilized for fire suppressions.

To prevent fire from spreading to Seorak-san, KFS set fire-block boundaries and has been conducting intensive suppression activities in Ganghyun-myeon and Dunjeon-ri.

13 helicopters and 1,050 crews are mobilized in Goseong area and concentrated suppression operations are carried out in Myeongpa-ri and Songhyun-ri.

As of 10:00 AM, April 6:

Mobilized 38 helicopters and working on complete suppression of fire. Estimated damages are 250 ha of forest, 246 buildings(160 homes, 4 warehouses, 82 barns) Some of the main temples of Naksan Temple are also burned together with 1 fire engine.

80% of the fire in Goseong is controlled and is focusing on complete suppression in the morning. Estimated damage area is 150 ha.


Translated by Int＇l Cooperation Division
☎ +82-42-481-4081 (Ms. Lee, Mira)