Seoul Wildfire on Mount Bukhan Rapidly Contained, 95% Suppressed by Night
Updated (15 articles)
Fire Ignited on Mount Bukhan at 7:25 p.m. The blaze started Saturday evening at approximately 7:25 p.m. on a ridge near the Hyangrobong peak, close to temples in the Jongno Ward of central Seoul [1][2]. Firefighting authorities responded immediately, dispatching crews to the scene. The incident was first reported by Yonhap’s reporter Sooyeon.
Firefighters Achieved 95% Containment Within Three Hours . By 10:10 p.m., officials announced the fire was about 95 percent contained, limiting further spread [1]. The effort burned an estimated 165 square meters of forested land and involved 346 personnel operating 29 fire engines [1]. Containment was achieved in roughly three hours after the initial alarm.
Risk of Further Spread Deemed Low . A forest service official said the likelihood of the fire reaching nearby areas remained low, allowing crews to concentrate on extinguishing remaining embers [2]. The Korea Forest Service released a photograph on Feb. 21 showing the fire’s limited footprint. Authorities continued monitoring for re‑ignition while the blaze remained under control.
Investigation Planned to Determine Wildfire Origin . Seoul officials announced a forthcoming investigation to identify the cause of the wildfire once all hot spots are extinguished [1][2]. The probe aims to establish accountability and inform future prevention measures. No definitive cause has been disclosed as of the latest reports.
Sources
-
1.
Yonhap: Seoul Wildfire on Mount Bukhan Nearly Contained Within Three Hours: reports rapid containment, 95% by 10:10 p.m., 165 m² burned, 346 firefighters, 29 engines, and pending cause investigation.
-
2.
Yonhap: Wildfire Ignites on Seoul’s Mount Bukhan, Officials Assess Low Spread Risk: details ignition time, low spread risk, focus on embers, visual evidence from Korea Forest Service, and upcoming cause investigation.
Related Tickers
Timeline
Dec 9, 2025 – A fire erupts at Taean Thermal Power Plant, injuring two workers with second‑degree burns and prompting an evacuation; authorities suspect a gas explosion in the IGCC facility’s piping, note that a similar IGCC fire occurred in Jan 2023, and launch an investigation to compare the incidents. [13][14][15]
Jan 10, 2026 – A hillside wildfire breaks out in Uiseong County, triggering a Level 2 response that deploys 10 helicopters, 51 fire‑suppression vehicles and 315 personnel; the main blaze is contained by 6 p.m. after snowfall and 33 % humidity aid suppression, evacuation orders move residents to community centers, and investigators keep the cause under review. [11][12]
Jan 16, 2026 – A blaze ignites in Guryong village, displacing roughly 200 residents; 1,258 firefighters and 106 units respond, Interior Minister Yun Ho‑jung orders full mobilization and safety checks of empty houses, a temporary shelter opens at a nearby middle school, and the shantytown’s 1980s‑era makeshift housing—built after redevelopment displaced residents—highlights the area’s fire risk. [6][7]
Jan 16, 2026 – The Uiseong District Court hands suspended prison terms to Shin (55) and Jeong (63) for starting the March 22, 2024 Uiseong wildfires that killed 26, injured 31 and scorched 99,289 ha; the court cites extreme winds and a dry spell as aggravating factors but notes insufficient proof of direct causation for the casualties. [8]
Feb 3, 2026 – A fire breaks out at SPC Samlip’s Siheung confectionery plant around 2:30 p.m., originating on a bread‑production line; a Level 1 response mobilizes roughly 70‑130 firefighters and up to 50 pieces of equipment, three workers receive minor smoke‑inhalation treatment, and no fatalities occur. [3][4][5]
Feb 5, 2026 – Police and fire officials conduct a joint inspection of the SPC Samlip plant to investigate the reported explosive sound and determine the fire’s cause, as mandated after the Feb 3 incident. [3]
Feb 21, 2026 – A wildfire ignites on Mount Bukhan near Hyangrobong peak at 7:25 p.m.; 346 firefighters and 29 engines contain 95 % of the blaze by 10:10 p.m., limiting damage to about 165 m², and authorities announce a post‑containment investigation to identify the origin. [1][2]
Dive deeper (5 sub-stories)
-
Seoul Wildfire on Mount Bukhan 95% Contained Within Three Hours, Investigation Launched
(2 articles)
-
SPC Samlip Siheung Plant Fire Contained After Four Hours, Three Injured, Investigation Planned
(3 articles)
-
Seoul Firefighters Contain Guryong Village Blaze, Evacuate Over 250 Residents
(6 articles)
-
Yonhap: Two men receive suspended terms for South Korea's wildfires
-
Fire at Taean Thermal Power Plant Contained; Two Workers Injured, Gas Explosion Under Investigation
(3 articles)
All related articles (15 articles)
-
Yonhap: Seoul Wildfire on Mount Bukhan Nearly Contained Within Three Hours
-
Yonhap: Wildfire Ignites on Seoul’s Mount Bukhan, Officials Assess Low Spread Risk
-
Yonhap: Fire at SPC Samlip Siheung Plant Contained After Four Hours, Three Injured
-
Yonhap: Fire at SPC Samlip Confectionery Plant in Siheung Injures Few Workers
-
Yonhap: Fire Breaks Out at SPC Samlip Plant in Siheung, No Casualties Reported
-
Yonhap: Jan 16 fire in Guryong village displaces about 200 residents; blaze extinguished
-
Yonhap: Fire displaces about 200 in Seoul's Guryong village as main blaze contained
-
Yonhap: Two men receive suspended terms for South Korea's wildfires
-
Yonhap: Fire in Guryong village forces about 50 residents to evacuate in southern Seoul
-
Yonhap: Fire in Guryong village prompts evacuation of about 50 in Seoul
-
Yonhap: Main Uiseong wildfire contained within three hours
-
Yonhap: Level 2 wildfire response and evacuation order issued in Uiseong County
-
Yonhap: Fire at Taean coal power plant contained; 2 injured
-
Yonhap: Fire at Taean Thermal Power Plant injures two, investigation into gas explosion underway
-
Yonhap: Two injured in fire at Taean Thermal Power Plant, South Korea