A wildfire broke out on the afternoon of Apr. 28 on Hamji Mountain in Nogok-dong, Daegu, and has since spread toward residential areas in Joya-dong, located about 2 kilometers away. The Korea Forest Service has issued a Level 2 wildfire response order and is working to contain the blaze.
According to a disaster alert message issued by the Buk-gu District Office, the fire was first reported at approximately 2:01 p.m. in San 39, Nogok-dong. Authorities urged residents and hikers near Nogok-dong to evacuate to safer areas. The city of Daegu reported that 1,216 people from 899 households in Mutae-Joya-dong and Nogok-dong were evacuated to nearby elementary schools, including Paldal Elementary School and Maechon Elementary School.
At 2:56 p.m., Buk-gu authorities said the fire was continuing to spread and called on residents of Joya-dong and Nogok-dong to evacuate to the designated schools. By 3:10 p.m., evacuation advisories were expanded to include residents near forested areas in Seobeon-dong, directing them to nearby middle schools.
Smoke from the Mount Hamji wildfire was visible across central Daegu. The Buk-gu District Office advised hikers to immediately evacuate to safe areas and warned against descending toward Joya-dong, Nogok-dong, and Seobeon-dong.
At approximately 3:10 p.m., the Korea Forest Service officially escalated the response to Level 2, deploying 26 helicopters, 42 pieces of equipment, and 202 personnel to the scene. Winds at the site were reported to reach gusts of up to 11 meters per second. Fire authorities said there have been no reports of injuries yet.
The smoke was so extensive that it was reportedly visible from Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, about 19 kilometers away.
Meanwhile, the Korea Expressway Corporation closed both the entrance and exit ramps at the Buk-Daegu Interchange (IC) on the Gyeongbu Expressway due to the wildfire. The corporation said traffic was restricted beginning at 4 p.m. for safety reasons, citing heavy smoke in the area surrounding Mount Hamji. No damage to highway infrastructure has been reported so far.