ㅣ'Samgyeopsal' Nearly Triggered a Major Wildfire Disaster

A terrifying situation almost led to a major wildfire disaster while cooking samgyeopsal shortly after a large wildfire incident had occurred.

According to SBS on the 27th, a wildfire that broke out at 1:18 PM on the 26th in Sangnam-myeon, Inje, Gangwon Province, was extinguished after 20 hours. It is estimated that 73 hectares of forest were affected due to strong winds reaching up to 20 m/s at that time.

All 380 residents from Inje and Yangyang who had evacuated due to the wildfire have returned home safely. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or damage to facilities, and traffic restrictions, including those on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, have been lifted.

The joint investigation team, which was examining the cause of the fire, is focusing on the fact that the initial point of ignition is close to a residential area and that the fire reportedly started from a pile of rocks beside the road.

They are considering a low likelihood of natural ignition and are broadly investigating potential accidental causes arising from negligence.

The first witness to the wildfire told SBS, "When I got up there, the fire was spreading over about three pyeong (approx. 10 square meters). It didn't start naturally; it began to ignite right next to the road…"

Additionally, a wildfire suppression personnel mentioned, "(A few people) were using two gas burners to eat samgyeopsal and drink soju, and while they were eating, the fire spread to the mountain and came down from up there…" conveying the scenario during the outbreak of the wildfire.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the wildfire based on testimonies, looking into the negligence of hikers.

They are also conducting follow-up operations to manage any remaining embers due to strong winds.

Image Source: A view of the flames spreading in the mountains of Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on the 27th of last month. 2025.3.27 / News1, SBS News.