The National Fire Agency said Tuesday it has raised the fire response level to the highest to mobilize all available resources to contain wildfires spreading across the southeastern region.
The third level in the three-tier system is issued when massive damage from a disaster is anticipated, calling for the mobilization of all firefighting personnel and equipment nationwide.
It marks the first time this year that the agency has issued the highest level of alert.
Under the alert, firefighters will focus on protecting homes and temples, evacuating residents from fire-prone areas, ensuring the safety of individuals and implementing measures to protect firefighting personnel.
The agency said it has dispatched nine special rescue teams to North Gyeongsang Province for swift relief efforts.
Fire authorities also deployed large water cannons and chemical fire trucks capable of projecting large volumes of water over long distances to the region. (Yonhap)
