South Korea Deploys 500 Troops and 27 Helicopters as Miryang Wildfire Extinguished
Updated (8 articles)
Massive Military Support Augments Firefighting Efforts On 24 February 2026 the South Korean Army dispatched roughly 500 service members and 27 helicopters, including 12 CH‑47 Chinook heavy‑lift and 15 UH‑60 Black Hawk utility aircraft, to assist firefighting crews in Seosan, Yesan, Hamyang and Miryang [1]. Soldiers are constructing firebreaks, transporting supplies, and tackling residual hotspots alongside civilian firefighters. The deployment follows a national firefighting mobilization order issued after the fires threatened multiple provinces.
Miryang Blaze Fully Extinguished After Coordinated Assault The Korea Forest Service confirmed the main Miryang wildfire was completely out at 12:30 p.m. on 24 February 2026, after a massive response involving more than 1,500 responders, 52 helicopters and 318 pieces of equipment [2]. The fire had scorched 143 hectares—about 200 football fields—but caused no injuries or property damage. Authorities had activated a Level 2 wildfire response and a national mobilization order earlier in the week.
Containment Progress in Miryang Prior to Extinguishment By 5 a.m. on 23 February 2026, firefighting officials reported the Miryang blaze was 51 percent contained, with a 5.8‑km fire line of which 2.95 km had been extinguished [3]. The operation mobilized 31 helicopters, 600 personnel and 160 vehicles, and evacuated 184 residents and patients from nearby villages and long‑term‑care facilities. The Level 2 response and national order remained in effect as containment efforts continued.
Hamyang Wildfire Contained After 44 Hours, Prime Minister Visits The Hamyang County fire was declared fully contained at 5 p.m. on 23 February 2026 after 44 hours of fighting, having burned 234 hectares [4]. Roughly 1,600 personnel, 115 helicopters and 250 pieces of equipment were deployed, and 164 residents were evacuated without casualties. Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok inspected the scene, pledged relief for evacuees, and underscored the Level 2 response and national mobilization orders.
Seoul Mount Bukhan Fire Quickly Controlled A wildfire ignited on Mount Bukhan in central Seoul at 7:25 p.m. on 21 February 2026 and was 95 percent contained by 10:10 p.m., limiting damage to roughly 165 square meters [7][8]. Authorities deployed 346 firefighters and 29 fire engines, and announced an investigation into the fire’s cause. Officials assessed a low risk of further spread and focused on extinguishing remaining embers.
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: South Korea Deploys 500 Soldiers and 27 Helicopters to Fight Central Wildfires – Details the scale of military involvement, specific helicopter types, and targeted provinces .
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2.
Yonhap: Miryang Wildfire Main Blaze Extinguished After Massive Response – Announces full extinguishment time, total responders, helicopters, area burned, and zero casualties .
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3.
Yonhap: Miryang Wildfire Contained 51% After Two Days, Massive Resources Deployed – Provides early containment percentages, fire‑line length, and resource numbers before the blaze was fully out .
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4.
Yonhap: Hamyang Wildfire Fully Contained After 44 Hours – Reports final containment, area burned, evacuation figures, and Prime Minister’s on‑site visit .
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5.
Yonhap: South Korea’s Hamyang County Wildfire Enters Third Day, Prime Minister Visits – Highlights containment level on the third day, terrain challenges, and continued helicopter deployment .
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6.
Yonhap: South Korea’s Hamyang Wildfire Enters Third Day, Helicopters Deployed – Emphasizes helicopter fleet size and focus on protecting residential areas .
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7.
Yonhap: Seoul Wildfire on Mount Bukhan Nearly Contained Within Three Hours – Describes rapid containment, small burned area, and personnel deployed .
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8.
Yonhap: Wildfire Ignites on Seoul’s Mount Bukhan, Officials Assess Low Spread Risk – Notes low spread risk, investigation plans, and visual evidence released .
Timeline
Feb 20, 2026 – A wildfire erupts on Seoul’s Mount Bukhan at 7:25 p.m., burning about 165 m²; firefighters deploy 346 personnel and 29 engines and achieve roughly 95 % containment by 10:10 p.m., while officials say the spread risk is low and an investigation will follow [7][8].
Feb 20, 2026 – A separate wildfire ignites around 9 p.m. in Hamyang County, spreading over steep terrain with winds over 11 m/s, prompting authorities to prepare a Level 2 response as the fire threatens nearby villages [6].
Feb 21, 2026 – At 10:30 p.m. Sunday, the Korea Forest Service activates a Level 2 wildfire response for the Hamyang blaze, and at 11:14 p.m. the National Fire Agency issues a national firefighting mobilization order, indicating the fire exceeds local capacity [6].
Feb 22, 2026 – Hamyang firefighters report the fire is 32 % contained after three days, having burned roughly 190 ha; 105 vehicles, 603 personnel and a fleet of 51 helicopters are slated to assist after sunrise to improve suppression [6][5].
Feb 23, 2026 – A wildfire ignites on a hill near Miryang in the afternoon, forcing evacuations of 184 residents and long‑term‑care patients and prompting a Level 2 response and national mobilization order as the blaze spreads over 124 ha [3].
Feb 23, 2026 – By 5 a.m., the Miryang fire is 51 % contained, the fire line stretches 5.8 km, and 31 helicopters, more than 600 firefighters and 160 vehicles are deployed to the scene [3].
Feb 23, 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok visits Hamyang, inspects firefighting operations, encourages crews and tells evacuees he will provide relief, underscoring government commitment to the disaster response [5][4].
Feb 24, 2026 – The main blaze in Miryang is fully extinguished at 12:30 p.m., after burning 143 ha (about 200 football fields); the effort involves over 1,500 responders, 52 helicopters and 318 pieces of equipment, and results in zero casualties or property damage [1].
Feb 24, 2026 – The South Korean Army deploys roughly 500 soldiers, 12 CH‑47 Chinook and 15 UH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters (27 total) to assist firefighting in Seosan, Yesan, Hamyang and Miryang, building firebreaks and tackling residual hotspots [2].
Feb 24, 2026 – Hamyang wildfire is declared fully contained at 5 p.m., after 44 hours of burning 234 ha; the operation mobilizes about 1,600 personnel, 115 helicopters and 250 pieces of equipment, and the Prime Minister reiterates support for affected residents [4].
Feb 24, 2026 – Authorities announce they will investigate the cause of the Mount Bukhan fire once all embers are extinguished, aiming to identify accountability and prevent future incidents [7].