The recent wildfire in Hamyang, South Korea, marked the first major wildfire of 2026, breaking out on the evening of January 21. Firefighting efforts managed to extinguish the blaze by January 23, and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters announced that they had begun cleanup operations following the fire's suppression. The affected area spanned 234 hectares with a fire front extending 8 kilometers. In response to the wildfire, local authorities safely evacuated 164 residents to a gymnasium, preventing any casualties. Significant resources were deployed, including 54 helicopters, 123 vehicles, and 845 personnel to combat the flames.

The fire’s origin has yet to be determined, and numerous challenges hampered firefighting operations. The terrain in Hamyang is steep and mountainous, making access for fire engines and crews extremely difficult. Additionally, wind gusts of up to 8.5 meters per second changed direction unpredictably, complicating suppression efforts. On January 22, the estimated fire containment rate plummeted from 66% to 32% in a single evening, illustrating the difficulties faced by responders.

Looking ahead, the Regional Forestry Office expects rain or snow between January 24 and 25, which they believe could aid in extinguishing residual hot spots. The Korea Meteorological Administration has reported potential snowfall of 1 to 3 centimeters in the western inland areas of Gyeongnam, including Hamyang, sometime after 9 AM on January 24. Residents are being warned to take precautions as there may be heavy snow advisories issued in the region.