Wildfire reignites in South Korea's Daegu, evacuation alerts issued

ISTANBUL

A wildfire that initially broke out on Monday in the southeastern South Korean city of Daegu reignited on Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue evacuation alerts for nearby residents and a nationwide mobilization order.

The blaze that started Monday afternoon on Mount Hamji in northern Daegu, roughly 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was put out nearly 23 hours later on Tuesday afternoon, after burning through 260 hectares of land and prompting the evacuation of over 2,000 residents.

However, on Tuesday evening, the fire flared up again in certain areas of the mountain.

Yonhap News reported that since reigniting, the fire has been spreading, with the estimated fire line now stretching approximately 2.1 kilometers (about 1.3 miles), citing the Korea Forest Service (KFS).

At around 5.13 pm on Wednesday (0813GMT), the authorities have issued an emergency alert, warning residents living nearby to evacuate as a precaution, with nearly 190 personnel and 41 helicopters deployed to extinguish the blaze.

Last month, at least 30 people were killed and around 40 injured as wildfires swept through Gyeongsang Province, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The blaze was fully contained after 10 days.

About 48,000 hectares (118,611 acres) of woodland -- equivalent to about 80% of the size of Seoul -- were scorched, marking the worst wildfire disaster recorded in the country's history.

ISTANBUL

However, on Tuesday evening, the fire flared up again in certain areas of the mountain.

Last month, at least 30 people were killed and around 40 injured as wildfires swept through Gyeongsang Province, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The blaze was fully contained after 10 days.

About 48,000 hectares (118,611 acres) of woodland -- equivalent to about 80% of the size of Seoul -- were scorched, marking the worst wildfire disaster recorded in the country's history.