The recent wildfire not only destroyed most of the residents’ homes but also engulfed the pine forests around the mountain. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
YEONGDEOK, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) — In a devastating blow to South Korea’s premier pine mushroom producing region, residents of Samhwa-2 village in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, are grappling with concerns about their fall harvest following a massive wildfire that swept through the area.
“This village is the country’s largest pine mushroom production site, but we won’t know the full extent of the damage until autumn,” said Oh Do-heung, 64, a resident of Samhwa-2 village in Jipum-myeon, Yeongdeok.
The wildfire, which began in Uiseong on March 22, rode strong winds to reach Yeongdeok on the night of March 25, devastating an estimated 7,819 hectares. Yeongdeok County produces 30% of South Korea’s pine mushrooms, with Jipum-myeon’s Samhwa-2 village being the most productive area within the region, making it the nation’s top pine mushroom producing village.
Villagers have traditionally managed Guksabong, a mountain nearby, collectively, sharing in the harvest and sale of pine mushrooms. However, the recent wildfire not only destroyed most of the residents’ homes but also engulfed the pine forests around the mountain.
While immediate concerns center on housing displacement, residents are increasingly worried about the fire’s impact on future mushroom harvests. “Looking at Guksabong after the fire, there are many burn marks,” Oh said. “While we won’t know the effect on pine mushroom production until later, everyone is worried.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
