Gwangyang wildfire fully contained after 13-hour operation

A firefighting helicopter conducts wildfire suppression operations in Okgok-myeon Gwangyang South Jeolla Province on Jan 22 2026 — A firefighting helicopter conducts wildfire suppression operations in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on Jan. 22, 2026. Yonhap

SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Authorities have contained a major wildfire in Gwangyang, South Jeollanam Province, that triggered Level 1 emergency response measures due to rapid spread driven by strong winds.

The blaze, which broke out at 3:31 PM on the 21st in the hills of Mukbaek-ri, Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang, reached 100 percent containment as of 10:00 AM today, 13 hours and 37 minutes after ignition.

Forest authorities activated nighttime firefighting operations at sunset, deploying Surion helicopters and thermal imaging-equipped drones for fire line monitoring to develop suppression strategies. Specialized wildfire units and high-performance fire trucks were mobilized throughout the night to prevent further spread. The overnight operation involved 997 firefighting personnel and 108 fire trucks.

The affected area is estimated to span 49 hectares. The wildfire originated from sparks that spread from a nearby factory fire and rapidly expanded in the strong wind conditions.

The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities conduct firefighting operations on a wildfire in Gwangyang South Jeolla Province on Jan 21 2026 — The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities conduct firefighting operations on a wildfire in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on Jan. 21, 2026. Yonhap

Fire officials prepare for firefighting operations at Okgok Middle School where the wildfire command center has been set up in Okgok-myeon Gwangyang South Jeolla Province on the morning of Jan 22 2026 — Fire officials prepare for firefighting operations at Okgok Middle School, where the wildfire command center has been set up, in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on the morning of Jan. 22, 2026. Yonhap

Han Jun-gu jungu141298@ajupress.com