South Korea 'fully' douses reignited wildfire after sending over 500 firefighters, 20 helicopters

ISTANBUL

South Korean fire authorities on Monday deployed 500 personnel backed by helicopters to fully put out a wildfire in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, local media reported.

The wildfire, which first broke out Saturday evening on a hillside in the city's eastern village of Ipcheon, forced nearly 70 people to evacuate, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The blaze reignited Sunday night after being brought under control, necessitating additional efforts to extinguish it.

Some 20 firefighting helicopters and 525 personnel were deployed to put out the remaining flames by the forest service and the Marine Corps.

The main fire was extinguished, but residual flames rekindled at night.

The wildfire affected at least 54 hectares of land, which is roughly equivalent to 76 football pitches.

ISTANBUL

South Korean fire authorities on Monday deployed 500 personnel backed by helicopters to fully put out a wildfire in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, local media reported.

The wildfire, which first broke out Saturday evening on a hillside in the city's eastern village of Ipcheon, forced nearly 70 people to evacuate, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The blaze reignited Sunday night after being brought under control, necessitating additional efforts to extinguish it.

Some 20 firefighting helicopters and 525 personnel were deployed to put out the remaining flames by the forest service and the Marine Corps.

The main fire was extinguished, but residual flames rekindled at night.

The wildfire affected at least 54 hectares of land, which is roughly equivalent to 76 football pitches.