Chapter 95Wildfire(4)
Could this be called a fateful reunion?
Go Eun-sil couldnt believe that a rescue team, including her elentary school classmate, had co up through the sea of fire.
Just a minute ago, they were in despair.
Risking their lives to descend, they found their phones continually out of service in the darkness. They had to rely on the sky to guide them through the spreading flas towards the evacuation center.
Jeong-woo, are you a firefighter? According to Soo-chan
Eun-sil.
Yeah?
Lets talk in detail after safely getting down. Anyway, its good to see you.
Oh? Uh, yeah, sa here.
Jeong-woos gaze towards the mountain was exceptionally serious.
This incredible coincidence didnt seem to be heading towards a happy ending just yet.
Gather around! Well distribute fire protection equipnt.
At the call of one team mber, Go Eun-sil glanced at Jeong-woos back and, like others, moved behind.
It will protect you from smoke and heat.
Amidst the team mbers distributing special vinyl masks covering the entire head and firefighting blankets made of fiberglass, an older-looking man stepped forward.
Im Rescue Team Leader Kim Jae-ho. Answer while wearing it. We need to identify you and report to the command center. Why did you co here, of all places?
We were here to manage endangered animals and plants in this area. One of us is a journalist who ca to cover our work.
The director of the National Park Managent Agencys Ecological Restoration Departnt and two employees, a veterinarian from the Animal Protection Association, and one social affairs reporter.
After confirming their identities, Kim Jae-ho picked up the radio.
Command Center. Command Center. This is Rescue Team 1. Weve secured a total of 5 isolated individuals at the evacuation center. Currently preparing to descend.
Squeak.
-Any injured individuals?
No. The list of rescued individuals is
Kim Jae-ho, who quickly reported, was approached by Director Nam Jeong-yeol.
Theres a mountain rescue team on the southwest side of this location, on Mount Seoraksan. If you talk to them theyll support us with a helicopter. We have an agreent with the National Park Managent Agency.
We also arrived by helicopter initially. If it were accessible, we wouldnt have climbed through these flas.
Kim Jae-ho opened his mouth to those who seed not to fully comprehend the seriousness of the situation.
Let
briefly explain the situation in this area.
The following explanation from the rescue team leader was increasingly grave.
This area was declared a disaster zone due to a wildfire, and it was the most dangerous place. If they didnt evacuate as soon as possible, there was a high risk of losing their lives due to flas and toxic gases. On top of that, the advancing fire line was expected to forcefully break through, posing an even greater danger.
The five isolated at the evacuation center were both dumbfounded and at a loss for words.
Why did this happen
Director Nam stared at the flaming forest with a disheartened expression.
A man in his mid-thirties, who had been holding a cara like a lifeline, asked Kim Jae-ho with a bewildered expression.
Jumping into a pit of fire, are you in your right mind? Is that sothing a 119 firefighter would say?
Despite the challenging attitude of the man questioning him, Kim Jae-hos expression remained unshaken.
You said youre a journalist, right?
Im Seong Ra-il from Dongmyeong Ilbo.
Theres a question journalists always ask at the scene. Was that rescue the best option?
Seong Ra-il, trembling in fear, and others in a similar state, were carefully scrutinized by Kim Jae-ho. He calmly spoke.
The best response from a firefighter at a disaster site threatening lives may not be the correct answer. However, who can determine the best response in such a situation? You, the journalist? Us? A third party who hasnt experienced this situation?
Seong Ra-il couldnt answer Kim Jae-hos question.
As soone who has experienced a scene like this a bit more, Ill give you an advice. If you find a way with a high probability of survival, act without delay. Its a hundred tis better than just standing still. But if you dont know the way
Kim Jae-hos gaze turned towards Jeong-woo, who was observing the area below.
Find the person who seems to be the safest in this hell. Then follow them, whether its to live or die. My team and I ca here that way, and thats how well survive in this place.
Descending the steep cliff, Rescue Team 1 and the five rescuers confronted swirling flas with the force to uproot trees.
A dead-end alley.
Throughout their descent from the peak, they had faced the flas, making it inevitable to feel despair, but it was especially intense here. In the smoke-filled surroundings, the only visible light amid the haze was the crimson flas.
Finding a way in such a place was practically impossible. However, people, clinging to a glimr of hope, focused their attention on one person.
We have to jump over there.
Everyone was startled at the sound.
Kim Jae-ho, who was standing beside Jeong-woo, said.
It seems much more intense here than elsewhere. If we have to go through, whether its firefighting equipnt or team mbers, well lead the way. Kim Yi-hyun, Park Dong-myeong!
No. The eastern fire line has thickened. We should conserve our supplies as much as possible if we intend to break through.
But
As the fire is concentrated here, the area right behind is relatively safe for a while.
Even Kim Jae-ho, who had consistently trusted Jeong-woo, had a doubtful expression, given how threatening the flas were.
Jeong-woo observed the two currents beginning to intertwine and said.
The timing will beco apparent. The ti to pass will be about 20 seconds. The distance is approximately 50 ters.
Due to the dense smoke, people couldnt know where they were or which direction was safe. They could only rely on Jeong-woos voice.
Jeong-woo, though already hoarse from shouting on the way, had no ti to rest in order to boost the spirits of those who could only be pessimistic in this dreadful heat.
Is there anyone here who cant run 50 ters in 20 seconds? Im sorry, but you have to run now. Run at full speed, go and collapse. Im counting! Three, two
Shooooo.
All kinds of branches and nearby flas swirled in a whirlwind, soaring high into the sky. Peoples eyes widened at the unexpected path that appeared.
One! Run!
At Jeong-woos shout, a team mber with a rake ran ahead, dodging the smoke. The rescuers followed, using the path he secured.
Jeong-woo, who was running at the back, calculated the reaction ti while watching the space where the flas disappeared as oxygen was rapidly sucked in.
It wont be 20 seconds. 15 seconds, no, 10 seconds?
In the midst of catching his breath, rotating his head was not a normal act.
Among those running behind him were Jeong Pil-du and Go Eun-sil. Jeong Pil-du, who had intentionally coordinated with her to protect him, wasnt a problem.
Eun-sil. Faster!
Im going.
When you were young, you used to outrun the kids without hesitation.
Why bring up the past now? Just because I grew a bit taller, are you getting jealous?
No, its because in 5 seconds, this place will beco a sea of flas.
Eun-sils eyes widened. Jeong-woo pushed her back, increasing the speed as much as possible.
When you pass through this smoke, youll see a big tree. Hide right behind it.
The first team mber to arrive took a position behind a tree that hadnt caught fire yet.
Over here!
As individuals arrived one by one, while staying close to the team mber, a whirlwind of flas suddenly appeared in that spot with the strong wind.
Whooosh!
Flas, rising high, covered Jeong-woos back. The hot air swept over the latest fla-resistant outerwear that was supposed to be special equipnt.
Run, run!
Jeong Pil-du, who had arrived a step ahead, grabbed Go Eun-sils arm and pulled her alongside a tree. Jeong-woo also barely threw himself behind the tree.
As soon as they escaped from the flas behind, Jeong-woo pointed upwards and shouted.
Watch out for embers! These are also significant!
Escaping from the flas behind, a storm of fire at the back, and a shower of fire above.
Crouching down and trembling, Go Eun-sil felt Jeong-woo covering her back with one side of his coat and asked.
Are you okay, Jeong-woo?
Even though the fire looks scary, the combustion reaction is straightforward. Fuel, oxygen, wind. If any of the three is weak, the flas quickly die out.
While lying flat on the ground, Seong Ra-il felt his heart calm down as he listened to the voice of soone who was analyzing the situation more calmly than anyone else.
In this mont of chaos, when he thought death was closest, the young mans actions of sharing a coat with others brought sothing captivating to his gaze.
Perhaps it was the journalists instinct.
Reflexively feeling his chest to open the caras rapid-fire case, Seong Ra-il continued to capture the image of the young man.
The falling embers stopped.
Lets go now! Weve overco the danger. Moving to the east!
Interview: Son Dong-joo
When the rescue team appeared through the flas, I thought I might have seen it wrong, or rather, I thought it was a dream.
-According to the team leader, you were fortunately discovered during helicopter reconnaissance.
Luck? Im not sure if that was luck. Even if we dont know, we probably wouldnt have been able to save you. I have a question. How did you manage to escape from there? Werent you in the midst of it as well?
-This is an interview with the professor.
Dont beat around the bush. Lets hear it. All other articles are just speculative. Youre the only one who knows the details. Well, is it because its a special report that you cant tell ?
-Thats not it. I just dont know how to express it yet. Walking through the flas relying only on one persons voice, the experience at that ti
Are you talking about the chemist?
-Yes. Since that experience beca the reason for deciding on this coverage.
11:30 PM
The Best Answer from a Chemist
Outside the command center, beyond the control line, broadcast vehicles from various dia outlets were lined up.
After more than 5 hours since the incident, here, over a hundred firefighters from Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, along with around ten helicopters supported by the fire authorities, are in full preparation for deploynt. Even from this location, which is 5 km away from where the wildfire is raging, the sll of burning is so intense that it feels like its vibrating
Experts from the Korea Forest Service have stated that due to the rapid spread of the fire in steep slopes and ravines, initial firefighting efforts have failed. It is predicted that damage to the forest area will range from 20 to a maximum of 50 hectares
Amidst the ongoing ergency broadcasts from each broadcasting station, soone during coverage suddenly stopped filming, boarded the reporting vehicle, and disappeared.
Whats happening? Where is JBN going?
They said the results of the ergency eting will be announced soon, is there anywhere more important than here?
While journalists were discussing, a call ca to one of them.
Yes, chief. I heard that Central Fire and Rescue Team 1 has been dispatched to rescue five people isolated at the wildfire site. Their status is unknown?
A text ssage arrived for another journalist.
[En route for collaboration with the Korea Forest Service rescue team. Heading to the east of Hwango Peak.]
News from various sources began to circulate, each receiving information from their respective contacts.
The situation was uncertain, with the possibility of rescuers or group mbers erging.
Larger broadcasting stations divided their reporting teams, while smaller ones hesitated.
It was hard to tell how much ti had passed as they walked through the indistinguishable smoke.
Go Eun-sil mindlessly followed the person in front of her. Tears welled up in her eyes due to the persistent smoke slipping through the gaps in her mask. She walked through the ankle-deep flas without feeling the anxiety that it would now be hotter.
Wait.
Jeong-woo grabbed her arm as she stumbled.
Go Eun-sil, who was about to step on a branch covered in flas, paused as she realized her actions.
Ah, sorry.
You seem to have inhaled too much smoke. Just a mont.
With a crackling sound, sothing sparkled in the field of vision and then disappeared. As the smoke that had filled the front of the mask disappeared, the tears also stopped to so extent.
Ah
The rescue team leader who had been walking ahead approached Jeong-woo and handed him a walkie-talkie.
Mr. Jeong-woo. Its Captain Ma.
Crackle.
-Han Jeong-woo. Whats this about changing the combustion line?
Go Eun-sil, feeling a bit clearer-headed, fixed her gaze on Jeong-woo, who was on the walkie-talkie.
-The ignition point increased by 1.5 tis? In just an hour?
The wind is too severe, more than anything. Even the thin east side has flas in three places now. Ive seen the fire flying over to the mountain beyond the blockade several tis.
-Got it. Well send a car. Co straight to the situation room as soon as you reach the safety zone.
It was a conversation that seed important and serious. Jeong-woos expression was dark. When she continued to stare at him, Jeong-woo turned his head, smiled calmly, and looked away.
Were okay. We can get out in a little while.
How do you know the way so well?
If you think about it, its chemistry. Its hard to explain.
At this answer, Go Eun-sil rembered the text ssage sent by her old friend Park Soo-chan a while ago.
[Our Jeong-woo? Doing great. He beca a researcher at a major company. KG Chemicals.]
He clearly said he was a researcher. Thinking about it from her childhood perspective, it didnt seem like a fitting profession, but now that she faced Han Jung-woo, he was more than just an expert.
Its really you, Jeong-woo?
Why? Doesnt seem like it?
The kind and considerate old image of him, who extended his hand first to her when she transferred to a new school with no friends, overlapped throughout the encounter.
No, it doesnt matter.
What are you talking about? Oh? Watch your head.
Amidst occasional falling embers, the group continued to walk without rest.
About five minutes passed.
At that ti, in the smoke, where only the sounds of each others labored breathing could be heard, sowhere, a high-toned animal cry, sounding like a whimper, echoed.
Go Eun-sil perked up her ears and looked around.
Director Nam, is this, by any chance
Yeah, its the cry of a marten.
Endangered wildlife, grade 2. One of the species they had been observing and researching on Hwango Peak.
Jeong-woo, who was walking ahead, stopped abruptly.
Theres sothing over there. In our way.
As they moved a bit forward, they saw a 30-centiter marten writhing in the ash, unable to breathe.
Soones flashlight illuminated the marten. Nam Jeong-yeol, who was nearby, said.
Its not an adult. These little ones must have their mothers by their side. Probably due to this fire
Oh, no.
Jeong-woo clicked his tongue at the prospect of a dead parent. When Jeong-woo was about to approach the marten, who was unable to hold himself up due to weakness, Go Eun-sil quickly grabbed his arm.
It may look gentle, but its a top predator.
When the marten realized they were approaching, it went wild. The dying creature revealed a sharpness that made it look like it would bite anyone who approached.
Go Eun-sil, after carefully observing the martens whole body, said.
It seems more like suffocation from the smoke than burns.
Jeong-woo clicked his tongue.
This damn wildfire is a disaster for them too.
Kim Jae-ho, the team leader at the front, spoke to the people.
Theres no ti to waste. If were not going to catch it, lets move.
With the need to keep moving, there was no ti to pay attention to the marten, which was showing its hostility.
As they continued to move, Jeong-woo looked at the marten as if it were nothing and reached his hand into the air.
Phew, smoke, go away.
What are you.., doing?
At Go Eun-sils question, Jeong-woo scratched his chin with a sowhat awkward expression.
Just.
Crackle.
Around the marten, white flashes gathered, completely different from the sparks. Crackling, the animal, which had been breathing heavily, soon stabilized its breath and cald down.
A small creature suffered in the middle of the forest as the flas consud it.
Through its jet-black pupils, the footprints of people moving away to the other side of the fire could be seen.
Oh, Chief, are you out of your mind? Who on earth would co through this?
In front of the scorched forest, 20 ters from the burning pit, Lee Heung-sik, a forestry officer from the county office, wore an expression of disbelief.
It was an order, yes, but with only twelve firefighters in the suppression team, there was a danger of being swept away, let alone trying to control the raging flas.
Captain, the fire is likely to reach here soon. Shouldnt we retreat? Weve waited as much as an hour.
Im seriously considering it too. Let
try the walkie-talkie.
While calling the situation room and waiting, the walkie-talkie blinked.
Crackle.
-Fire suppression team on standby at the east fire ignition line, do you copy?
What?
Lee Heung-sik pressed the transmission button on the walkie-talkie with a surprised expression.
Forest Service fire suppression team leader here. Who are you over there?
-Its Kim Jae-ho from the rescue team. Were planning to break through the fire line soon. When you see the fire light, concentrate the firefighting equipnt in that direction.
Youre inside?
As absurd as it sounded, there was no ti to be dumbfounded. Lee Heung-sik ordered all mbers carrying backpack pumps to prepare for forward waiting.
Where is it? Where?
Observing the flas for about a minute, a point of fire suddenly surged like a flickering candle. Along with it, the light of flashlights began to twinkle.
Theyre here! Concentrate!
A stream of water from the backpack pumps was directed toward a point.
On the opposite side, an air-compressed firefighting device shot out, creating a small path through the sea of flas.
Shoot, shoot! Pour it in!
After a while, about a dozen people walked out of the flas.
Crackle.
-Team leader, have you t them? Tell . Is everyone safe? Please tell them that everyone is safe.
A transmission ca from Chief Oh Seon-yong.
Lee Heung-sik looked at the survivors who erged from the inferno with an expression of disbelief.
Are you all out? How many in total? Report to the situation room.
The firefighter wearing a Beware of wildfires safety helt, walking out from the far end, answered Lee Heung-siks question.
Ah, there are eleven of us.
While answering, sothing black suddenly shot out from under the firefighters feet and swiftly brushed past Lee Heung-siks side.
Startled, Lee Heung-sik jumped to the side.
The firefighter, surprised and confused, continued to speak.
and a marten.
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