<div class="callout">Executive SummaryThis analysis examines the wildfire that occurred on January 21, 2026, in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.The analysis objectively assesses the extent of wildfire damage and identifies priority areas for forest restoration and management.</div><div class="image-slide"><img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-260116-jeollanam-do-gwangyang-gun-rgb-satellite-imagery.png" class="image-slide-preview"><img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-260128-jeollanam-do-gwangyang-gun-rgb-satellite-imagery.png" class="image-slide-preview"></div>At 3:02 p.m. on January 21, 2026, a wildfire ignited at a residential property in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang-si, and spread to nearby forested areas. The wildfire was fully contained by 10:30 a.m. on January 22, without any casualties or damage to major facilities. While the event may be classified as a low-impact wildfire, significant vegetation loss and changes in forest moisture conditions are likely to have already occurred within the affected areas.To better characterize these changes, Nara Space conducted analyses using the <dfn data-content="An index used to assess wildfire damage severity by comparing pre- and post-fire satellite imagery.">differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) </dfn>and the <dfn data-content="An index that represents dry and moist conditions based on the moisture content within vegetation leaves.">Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI)</dfn> over the wildfire-affected areas in Gwangyang-si. The dNBR analysis was used to quantitatively assess the extent of forest burn and damage, while the NDMI analysis evaluated changes in forest moisture conditions before and after the wildfire, as well as the potential for <dfn data-content="A phenomenon in which trees that initially survived a wildfire gradually die over time.">delayed tree mortality</dfn> following fire suppression.<img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-260128-jeollanam-do-gwangyang-gun-wildfire-damage.png" class="default-image-preview">The total burned area from the wildfire in Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang-si was estimated at 41.6 ha, classifying the event as a medium-scale wildfire under forest response criteria. Although most of the affected area experienced low-severity damage, high-severity damage was concentrated near the ignition point. In high-severity damage zones, impacts likely extend beyond leaf loss to include charring of internal stem tissues, resulting in functional loss. As a result, these areas are interpreted as requiring active restoration measures, such as artificial reforestation and soil stabilization, rather than reliance on natural recovery.<div class="image-slide"><img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-260116-ndwi-comparison-before-after-wildfire.png" class="image-slide-preview"><img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-260128-ndwi-comparison-before-after-wildfire.png" class="image-slide-preview"></div>In January 2026, the Jeollanam-do region experienced below-average temperatures and reduced precipitation, with dry weather advisories persisting for an extended period. As a result, most forested areas exhibited relatively dry conditions, except for limited zones with high vegetation density.Following the wildfire, NDMI values declined across the affected areas, indicating a substantial reduction in the forest’s moisture retention capacity. In particular, high-severity damage zones near the ignition point showed sharp decreases in NDMI values, suggesting concentrated moisture loss caused by the wildfire.<img src="https://earthpaper.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/post/v2/editor/34/en-2601-jeollanam-do-gwangyang-gun-ndmi-comparison-before-after-wildfire.png" class="default-image-preview">A comparison of NDMI values before and after the wildfire by damage grade shows that the largest declines occurred in high-severity damage zones. This indicates that areas with denser vegetation and relatively higher NDMI values prior to the wildfire experienced more severe damage and concentrated moisture loss after the event.In addition, areas that already exhibited low NDMI values prior to the wildfire showed further deterioration in moisture conditions as vegetation was damaged, transitioning toward drier states. Such changes in moisture conditions can create conditions that lead to delayed mortality over time, even among trees that were not directly affected by the wildfire.In summary, although the Gwangyang wildfire was rapidly contained and its spread was limited, the prolonged dry conditions preceding the event substantially degraded forest moisture conditions, indicating the need for continued management and monitoring even after fire suppression.<div class="callout">Satellite Imagery Analytics SolutionAt Nara Space, we deliver a Smart Analytics Solution that supports the full post-wildfire workflow, from damage assessment to the identification of priority areas for recovery and management.Our solution is designed to support decision-making for policy and administrative authorities, as well as insurance and reinsurance stakeholders.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ep.naraspace.com/helpcenter/inquiry">Contact us</a> to learn more and request a consultation.</div>

2026 Gwangyang Wildfire Analysis in Jeollanam-do: Damage Extent and Forest Moisture Changes (NDMI, dNBR)

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