As the forest fire in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province continued for the fifth day, it was found that some of it had spread to the Geumgangsong community in Sogwang-ri.
Forestry authorities are struggling to evolve to preserve the forest as much as possible in the Forest Genetic Resource Reserve, which protects genetic resources at the government level.
At a briefing at the forest fire site command headquarters in Jukbyeon-myeon, Uljin-gun on the afternoon of the 8th, Choi Byeong-am, head of the Korea Forest Service, said, "I will have to check the time, but now the fire line (fire stem) has slightly crossed the ridge of the pine community in Sogwang-ri."
The forestry authorities are working hard to prevent the wildfire from spreading further to the Geumgangsong community by mobilizing two extra large helicopters.
Currently, thick smoke and the smell of burning wood vibrates around Sogwang-ri.
Even from a distance from Sogwang-ri, you can see the smoke rising from Sogwang-ri or its surroundings.
However, the fire department is having difficulties in this firefighting process due to the changing direction every moment.
“The wind speed and direction are both important,” said an official from the Korea Forest Service.
The explanation is that even if the wind speed is weak, it is difficult to evolve the helicopter because there is no visible distance due to the hazy smoke.
Geumgangpine is considered the best among domestic pines because of its excellent material.
Although Geumgangpine grows wild all over Uljin, Sogwang-ri is widely known as the largest Geumgangpine colony in Korea.
The original form of the Geumgangpine forest is well preserved, and the ecological value is high and the scenery is beautiful.
About 80,000 pine trees over 200 years old grow in the Sogwang-ri Geumgangsong community covering an area of 2,247ha.
There are more than 10 million pine trees, including two protected trees that are over 500 years old, and a 350-year-old pine pine that stretches straight out.
There are about 1,600 Geumgang pine trees with a diameter of more than 60 cm.
Geumgang pine grows wild in Gangneung, Samcheok, Gangwon, Uljin, Bonghwa, and Yeongdeok along the Baekdudaegan from Mt. Geumgang.
Some are also called Chunyangmok, Hwangjangmok, and Anmoksong.
Geumgangpine, which has grown for more than 200 years because of its straightness, few cracks, and beauty, is used to restore various cultural properties.
When Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) was burned down in 2008, the pine used for restoration was the Geumgang pine in Sogwang-ri.
As such, it is evaluated that if such a Sogwang-ri colony of Geumgangpine burns, its value is so great that it is difficult to convert it into money.
Director Choi added, "The core colonies are gathered in the valley, and we will do our best to defend it as much as possible."
(Photo = Provided by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Fire Department, provided by the Korea Forest Service, Yonhap News)