Chemistry

13. Wildfire(6)

-Cheondori has arrived. The villagers are here to help, and we’ll work together.

-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.

‘What’s 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-seok’s shoulder.

“He’s Han Jeong-woo. Remember Hwacheon?”

“He’s that young?”

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

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Han Jeong-woo. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Thanks?”

“In the winter, weren’t you the chemist who got us out of a five-thousand-car pileup in Hwacheon without a single casualty? I’ve 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?”

“He’s 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.

“Don’t you know? He’s 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 I’ve 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 hasn’t 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, I’m 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 can’t control oxygen and wind here. However…”

Jeong-woo’s eyes sparkled.

“Fuel is different. It’s 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, you’re 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. I’ve visited firefighting operations in wildfires in the western United States. I’ve 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 we’re not using fire; we’re using water. The special flame retardant that KG Chemicals brought this time can be considered as such.”

After a while.

Jeong-woo entered the outer area of the parking lot that was being used as a supply point.

Unlike the command center where fire trucks were waiting, this place had vehicles from external support parked.

From a small van from a nearby hospital carrying medical supplies to a 1-ton truck loaded with personal equipment like shovels needed to construct a firebreak.

In the midst of it all, three large trucks with KG Chemical markings were also present. As he approached, someone with a familiar face was anxiously pacing in the parking lot.

“Mr. Jeong-woo!”

Deputy Gong Gyeong-ho spotted Jeong-woo and approached.

“You’ve been through a lot… huh? What on earth happened?”

Seeing Jeong-woo up close, Deputy Gong widened his eyes. Probably because of the shoes coated with charcoal and the outerwear that had turned into an ash-colored coat.

Jeong-woo explained the detailed story that had become like this in four hours with a bitter smile.

Approaching the back of the truck, Jeong-woo, after confirming that both trucks were already empty, asked Deputy Gong.

“Is this everything you brought?”

“We swept everything from the warehouse. Except for the powder extinguisher that was in the production line due to the sudden order. They’re being rushed, but they won’t arrive until tomorrow. Is there any policy from the Situation Room about the chemicals?””

“Well…”

As Jeong-woo sifted through various medicine boxes in the third truck, he recalled the words Miles had said just before coming here.

-Jeong-woo, as you can see, thousands of people are entangled in this situation. I can only assign one helicopter for now. If there’s any progress, I’ll request from the Forest Aviation Equipment Division as well. They have many large helicopters there.

Jeong-woo turned to Deputy Gong.

“From now on, we’re going to combine the chemicals that the firefighting helicopter will carry. Could you help me a bit?”

“Here?”

“It’s an emergency situation.”

Seeing Jeong-woo starting to carry boxes with his sleeves rolled up, Deputy Gong hurriedly ran over to assist.

“If it’s a combined chemical, what principle is it based on? Are you trying to enhance the firefighting performance suitable for a large wildfire?”

“No. The basic performance of chemicals that block oxygen or lower the ignition point has no room for further improvement.”

“Then what…”

Jeong-woo laid out the boxes one by one on one side of the parking lot.

He calmly explained to Deputy Gong, who was curious about what could be done in a place without sophisticated measuring tools or equipment for synthesizing compounds.

“I’ll explain the theory of the non-uniform reaction of this combination later. I could babble about the bulk density formula of catalytic particles in the fluid medium for at least 10 minutes. Just think of it as an upgrade that slaps the flame throwing a tantrum.”

A strange glint flickered in Jeong-woo’s eyes as he spoke, wearing work gloves.

The only tool he had was a simple shovel.

But with his current chemical abilities, there was no need to worry. He was doing his best to extinguish this wildfire. That was all he needed to focus on tonight.

Jeong-woo gathered a handful of stardust in both hands and passed it on with the shovel.

To the south, in the Guman-dong Valley.

Forestry firefighters, wearing safety helmets, pushed their backpack pumps towards the approaching fire.

“Block it! The school is 100 meters behind!”

At the command of the leader of Team 9, hands holding the nozzle of the backpack pump became busy.

A firefighter, who was swinging a heat-resistant blanket against the flames that crossed the firefighting line, sat down on the ground, breathing heavily.

As sirens blared, a firefighting pump truck stopped on the road. Firefighters who responded to the request came out with pike poles. The faces of the firefighters spraying water were filled with exhaustion, not having rested for a minute during the night.

To the west, in the Neatgang Village area.

As flames nearing 1,600 degrees split rocks in half and shot up, a soldier, digging the ground with a shovel, was startled and fell backward.

“Bum-jin!”

The nearby squad leader ran to the fallen soldier.

“Ugh….”

The soldier, with second-degree burns on his backhand and forearm, moaned in pain.

“Squad leader, quickly take the injured to the emergency medical tent! The rest, pull yourselves together!”

The company commander’s shoulders felt even heavier as the platoon leader, sweating profusely, pounded the ground.

However, if this breach occurred, not only the unit but also the nearby village would be entirely engulfed.

“When you see fire, report it immediately, and call the firefighters first! If we fail, a whole village will disappear tomorrow!”

To the north, at the Chiljeong Peak hiking trail.

Power pumps installed throughout the fire line were activated, spraying water ahead.

“We’ve almost got everything under control here. Stay strong!”

A firefighter from the Gwangjin Fire Station, dragging a hose that was several hundred meters long, stepped forward, then shouted as he stepped on a depressed point in the ground.

A large tree root had burned and created an invisible pit in the ground. Due to this, he, who suffered severe burns even on his knees, sat down on the ground and looked up at the sky.

In the night filled with struggle and flames.

This battle seemed to have no end in sight.

[Forest Fire Casualty Status]

[Deaths: 0 Injured: 48]

Watching the situation board, Miles let out a deep sigh.

Sigh.

-Team 16. Leg injury reported. On Chiljeong Peak.

“I’ll send a rescue helicopter.”

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》

“Isn’t 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-woo’s pointing finger, the camera’s 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, it’s coming this way!”

In the midst of the confusion, Lee Byung-ho’s 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-ho’s 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 don’t succeed in containment by morning, a nightmare similar to the 2005 Yangyang wildfire could happen…”

In the camera’s frame, the drum barrel, emitting a flash of light, was captured.

As if lightning struck from the sky, the camera’s 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-ho’s 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..