Gangwon Province Wildfire, S. Korea | April 2019

 Gangwon Province Wildfire, S. Korea | April 2019

On 4 April 4, 2019, an apparent transformer spark near a resort in the mountainous region along the northeast coast of the Republic of Korea started a historic wildfire in South Korea. The wind-driven (~45mph) wildfire engulfed the border town of Sokch and stretched further along the southern Gangwon province coast near Donghae (JPSS SOC, 2019). The fire lasted until April 6, 2019. 

A view of the fire that broke out a day earlier strikes the mountains of Gangneung, ~150 miles east of Seoul, South Korea, early 05 April 2019 (NST, 2019)

Destruction:

By the time 13,000 firefighters had put out most of the blaze, two people had died, dozens were injured, and almost 5,000 were displaced while nearly 500 homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged, thousands of livestock were lost, and two square miles of forest had burned (Volvo, 2020). Thousands of rescue officials came from across the nation to aid the vast range burned behind. South Korea is still coping with the damage as this wildfire was the most historic to occur on their soil. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki estimates they have received $3.7 million in emergency aid and recovery efforts combined. 

                                             

The fire starts in Goseong located ~130 miles from Seoul and is seen approaching a gas station 

 (Straits Times, 2019)

The fire is seen raging near buildings in Sokcho, South Korea (Kangwon Ilbo via Getty Images)

Discussion: 

The cause of this multi-day event is still under investigation though many believe a fallen electrical wire is the cause. An electrical arc set the dry fuel below ablaze when knocked down during extreme winds that night. It is speculated that the increased friction between the connecting wires and utility poles caused sparks that ignited the mountain fire (KBS, 2019). One of the constricted wires was actually exposed which further contributed to the disaster. The energy company responsible, Korea Electric Power Corporation of poor construction and frequent mismanagement. Though no cause has been confirmed, this tragedy may have been prevented if there had been proper management and observation of the utility poles. 

This video covers the beginning of the wildfire that was not yet extinguished during this newscast. A reporter live from the Central Disaster and Safety Measures Headquarters in Goseong county speaks on the suspected cause, damage thus far, and the areas still in danger. 

Sources

JPSS SSEC. (2019, April 5). Satellite-based Disaster Outreach Coordinator (SDOC). 4 April 2019 wildfires in South Korea. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.ssec.wisc.edu/jpss-sdoc/posts/4-april-2019-south-korea-wildfires/4-april-2019-wildfires-in-south-korea/

KBS World. (2019, April 19). Electric arc believed to have caused Goseong Mountain fires. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=144583

NST. (2019, April 5). Firefighters contain most of S.Korean wildfires; hundreds evacuated ... Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.nst.com.my/world/2019/04/476604/firefighters-contain-most-skorean-wildfires-hundreds-evacuated

Volvo. (2020, June 20). Goseong rises from the ashes of a devastating wildfire. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://www.volvoce.com/global/en/building-tomorrow/building-tomorrow-project/building-tomorrow-project/goseong-rises-from-the-ashes/