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Over 50 helicopters deployed to combat ongoing wildfire in South Gyeongsang

Published: 23 Feb. 2026, 11:21 Updated: 23 Feb. 2026, 16:28

Forestry authorities work to contain a wildfire in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang, in the early hours of Feb. 23. [KOREA FOREST SERVICE]

HAMYANG, South Gyeongsang — Firefighters battled a major wildfire in a mountainous area of Hamyang County for a third day on Monday, deploying more than 50 helicopters under a nationwide mobilization order.

The fire, which began Saturday in a mountainous area of Changwon-ri, was 83 percent contained as of 2 p.m., the Korea Forest Service said. Crews extinguished 6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles) of the 8.0-kilometer fire line, while the affected area reached 573 acres.

Containment rates had fluctuated between 40 percent and 70 percent in previous days. Authorities attributed the faster progress on Monday to improved weather conditions.

As of 2 p.m., average wind speeds at the scene measured 2.2 meters per second, compared with 6.9 meters per second a day earlier, allowing helicopters to operate more effectively.

A firefighting helicopter works to contain a wildfire in a wooded area in Changwon-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang, on Feb. 23, the third day of the blaze. [NEWS1]

“Winds blew continuously the previous day, with gusts strong enough at times to send tents at the command post flying, but conditions are relatively calm today," an official at the on-site command post said.

"As the yellow dust that had obstructed visibility for helicopters has cleared, they are now able to make more accurate water drops on the fire, which we believe has improved the efficiency of containment efforts.”

Fire authorities increased deployments at the scene, mobilizing 54 helicopters, 123 fire engines and 845 personnel.

The Korea Forest Service concentrated firefighting resources, including helicopters, from the morning as winds were expected to ease, aiming to contain the main blaze before sunset. However, steep rocky slopes and variable mountain winds continued to pose challenges, according to fire authorities.

Residents look toward a wildfire burning in a wooded area in Changwon-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang, on Feb. 23, the third day of the blaze. [NEWS1]

The blaze is the first major wildfire of the year, defined as a fire that burns more than 247 acres of forest or continues for more than 24 hours. It comes as strong wind and dry weather advisories remain in place across the country.

The Korea Forest Service issued a Level 2 wildfire response at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. The National Fire Agency followed with a nationwide mobilization order at 11:14 p.m., citing the need for broader state support.

The wildfire forced 134 residents to evacuate to the Eoullim gymnasium in Yurim-myeon. One vinyl greenhouse was destroyed, authorities said.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast rain or snow across South Gyeongsang for two days starting Tuesday, with 10 to 40 millimeters (0.4 to 1.6 inches) of precipitation expected. In western inland areas including Hamyang, snowfall of 3 to 8 centimeters (1.2 to 3.1 inches) is forecast.

Update, Feb. 23: Added information about fire containment efforts and status.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM MIN-JU, AN DAE-HUN [[email protected]]