Chapter 97

Chapter 97Wildfire(6)

-Cheondori has arrived. The villagers are here to help, and well work together.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

-Operation Firestorm has begun. Absolute no access near the southern line after this.

-Joined forces with the firefighting team at the blockade. Restrict entry to Route 46 for civilian vehicles afterward.

While information on the situation board kept circulating without a break, the flap of the tent opened, and the smell of burning rushed in. Then, Jeong-woo entered.

Miles, who was listening to the radio report, made eye contact with Jeong-woo and gestured to the seat next to him.

With a sense of unease at the unfamiliar faces inside the tent filled with the smell of burning, Jeong-woo walked in.

He was stunned to see a large screen on one side with the faces of the governor, the mayor, the chief of police of Gangwon Province, and the commander of the 12th Division.

Whats going on here?

Only those in positions with significant responsibilities were present, making Jeong-woo wonder if he belonged here.

Standing next to Miles, the emergency rescue control officer, Shin Jong-seok, glanced at Jeong-woo.

Why are you dressed like that?

I was in the wildfire until a moment ago.

Wildfire?

Miles lowered the radio and lightly tapped Shin Jong-seoks shoulder.

Hes Han Jeong-woo. Remember Hwacheon?

Hes that young?

Shin Jong-seok looked surprised, then extended his hand for a handshake.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Han Jeong-woo. I cant thank you enough.

Thanks?

In the winter, werent you the chemist who got us out of a five-thousand-car pileup in Hwacheon without a single casualty? Ive never heard such a compliment before. The commander was in a frenzy.

Ah

While shaking hands with Shin Jong-seok, who seemed pleased, Jeong-woo caught the attention of Oh Seon-yong, who was in conversation with the head of the meteorological office.

Who is he?

Hes Han Jeong-woo, the chemist who helped us in Hwacheon.

Chemist?

Upon Miles response, Oh Seon-yong chuckled.

Then he should be at the supply site, not here

Observing Jeong-woo from head to toe, Oh Seon-yong trailed off. The fireproof suit with plenty of scorch marks clearly indicated how intense the encounter with the flames must have been.

Excuse me, did you come here for firefighting operations?

Miles took the initiative to answer this question as well.

Dont you know? Hes the friend who resolved the situation you dismissed as luck. The one who kept the death toll on that situation board at 0, not 7.

Oh Seon-yong closed his mouth in surprise.

Miles pointed to the topographical map.

Jeong-woo, this is the ignition point map, including the new reports from surveillance posts at 50 locations. What do you think?

Just a moment.

While Jeong-woo began examining the situation board, a radio transmission came in.

-This is Fire Captain East 3. The fire is approaching at a dangerous rate. Please send all available firefighting resources, as it may reach the fire line soon.

Jeong-woo lifted his head to Miles, who had ordered the deployment of fire trucks and large helicopters around the vicinity of the third ignition line.

What I saw from the surveillance posts and what Ive seen passing through are almost the same ignition points. Besides the areas that will become ignition points in the future, this is too optimistic an assessment.

Jeong-woo recalled the chemical reactions he had carefully considered.

There were many dead trees in the eastern forest area. Fuel that hasnt rotted due to lack of rain but has turned into firewood. Residues of leaves and dry grass remaining in the soil. The forest itself could be called a natural kiln.

Miles and other officials turned their gaze to Jeong-woo as he continued his fluent analysis.

In predicting where the fire will spread, we need to accurately understand not only the wind speed and direction but also the past state of the forest.

The past?

Miles, who knew more about nearby forest resources than anyone else, thought of Professor Son Dong-joo.

Jong-seok, send one car to the designated hospital for the injured.

Miles, instructing to bring Professor Son, looked at Jeong-woo as if asking if there was anything more to add.

While passing through the place that was a fiery hell on all sides, Jeong-woo brought up a story he had contemplated throughout.

The hot gas gathers in various places, making the intensity of the flames severe in many areas. If this flows along with the wind towards the firefighting line, people nearby could be in great danger.

Heh, Im worried about that too. Not everyone can assess and respond to the fire as well as you can.

The combustion reaction involves fuel and oxygen. The three factors of fuel, oxygen, and wind must be in harmony for it to grow. We cant control oxygen and wind here. However

Jeong-woos eyes sparkled.

Fuel is different. Its fixed in place and burning. If we can induce a reaction that forcefully propels this fuel into the center of the high-intensity flames, could we cut off the pulse of the wildfire?

Propel it away? Jeong-woo, do you know how to make a bomb? I mean, youre a chemist. Still, this problem is not at a level where I can approve your unilateral decision.

While Miles mentioned obtaining approval from everyone in the emergency control room, Oh, who was listening nearby, spoke with a serious expression.

Mr. Han Jeong-woo. Ive visited firefighting operations in wildfires in the western United States. Ive seen a method of dispersing ignition balls shaped like table tennis balls from a helicopter to intentionally cause an explosion. However, that was merely symbolic, similar to a match, and in our country, we cannot use explosive materials like that.

Jeong-woo responded to the misunderstanding between the two people with the highest authority on the scene with more precise words.

I guess you can consider it a bomb, but were not using fire; were using water. The special flame retardant that KG Chemicals brought this time can be considered as such.

After a while.

Ending the radio communication, Shin Jong-seok erased the 48 and wrote down 49.

Today, as the humidity reached the lowest levels this spring, dry heat from the descending air currents over the Taebaek Mountain Range, compounded by the Foehn effect, was piercing through the fire lines.

Listening to the meteorological factors analysis by the forecaster, Oh Seon-yong muttered with a raised eyebrow.

At this rate, when the sun rises, the scale of the wildfire will become uncontrollable.

Miles expression became even more solemn.

The fairy tale-like story that the heavens bestow grace upon human efforts seemed like an unreachable miracle, especially in disaster zones.

He felt stifled, not knowing what further measures to take from here. The answer was not visible, leaving only a sense of frustration in his heart.

JBN Breaking Footage

Isnt the wildfire a km away from here? In such a short time, will the flames reach this place?

Not exactly something like that?

Following Han Jeong-woos pointing finger, the cameras focus shifted to the sky.

Fireballs soaring from the distant mountain. Voices around exclaiming, What, what is that! in surprise, were captured directly in the footage.

Hoodeduduk.

The fireballs poured down onto the rice field like rain.

The astonished face of Reporter Lee Byung-ho, with his jaw dropped, contrasted sharply with the calm expression of Han Jeong-woo, creating a striking image on the screen.

To the extinguishing team! Something big is coming! Be careful!

As Han Jeong-woo, scanning the sky, shouted again, the camera recording the scene shook in confusion.

And then.

Boom!

Something slammed into the rice field like a cannonball.

From various directions, screams of Ahh! and Run away! echoed. Reporters turned into startled rabbits. The camera scanned the broadcasting station vehicles, starting their engines and departing one by one.

Afterward, the camera hastily zoomed in on Reporter Lee Byung-ho approaching, and as it continued to record, something suddenly popped out from the dark forest, prompting an instinctive zoom.

A marten with glowing black eyes like buttonholes.

The innocent and naive expression of the marten, completely at odds with the tense situation, briefly became the hidden protagonist of this chaotic scene before disappearing in a hurry behind Han Jeong-woo, who stood far away.

Retreat! This area is insane!

Lee Byung-ho, who had rushed over, climbed onto the side of the car.

The camera went off.

The screen made a pop sound and switched again.

Reporter Lee Byung-ho, holding a microphone, opened his mouth towards the camera.

This is the eastern area where the construction of the firefighting line by the 3rd firefighting team is in full swing. As of 2AM, the flames have approached within 300 meters, causing anxiety for everyone. Despite continuous helicopter support for firefighting efforts, there is no sign of the fire subsiding.

Tududududu!

Three KA-32T helicopters created a misty fog in the front airspace and disappeared.

Helicopters continue to be deployed to assist in firefighting, but there is no sign of the flames diminishing.

The camera panned over people throwing trees with electric saws in the background. Then, it turned to a scene where flames shot up in the distance, creating sparks in the air.

Whoa!

Be careful, its coming this way!

In the midst of the confusion, Lee Byung-hos report continued.

The on-site director in this area, Chief Hong Dong-sik of Jongno Fire Station, has expressed the determination to absolutely defend the firefighting line. Concerns about a major accident are growing as injuries due to the fire persist.

Above Reporter Lee Byung-hos back, a small helicopter with flickering lights approached.

Dudududu

Since the airspace was filled with large helicopters going back and forth, no one paid much attention to it.

From the small helicopter passing over the flames in front of the firefighting line, a drum barrel began to fall to the ground. The flames protruding eagerly touched the falling drum barrel.

Experts warn that if we dont succeed in containment by morning, a nightmare similar to the 2005 Yangyang wildfire could happen

In the cameras frame, the drum barrel, emitting a flash of light, was captured.

As if lightning struck from the sky, the cameras focus shook wildly. The cameraman who was filming trembled, causing the camera to shake.

A catastrophe comparable to the Yangyang wildfire is looming

The drum barrel exploded in mid-air.

Kuaaaaah!

A tremendous roar spread 300 meters in front.

Lee Byung-ho, who was reporting, turned around in surprise.

What the hell!

As much as the vibration, a thunderous scream erupted from Lee Byung-hos mouth. Realizing that he was in the midst of reporting, he urgently began to describe the scene unfolding before him.

Did you all see that! A bomb suddenly fell on the wildfire site!

However, to call it a simple bomb would be an understatement considering the very peculiar phenomenon that followed.

From the exploded drum barrel, cone-shaped masses poured out, not flames, but jelly-like chunks that were split into tens of thousands.

Falling to the ground, these chunks began to knock down everything that was burning on the flames with a forceful impact.

The, the fire

The flames that had approached the firefighting line lost momentum and dwindled.

The people on the screen were momentarily speechless, witnessing the unexpected turn of events as the falling chunks did not extinguish the burning like blowing out a candle with a breath but rather, like smashing a candlestick with a hammer, they forcefully knocked everything above the burning flames..