SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea is grappling with its worst-ever wildfires, which have killed at least 28 people, forced nearly 38,000 to flee their homes, and destroyed thousands of structures, including historic temples, authorities said on Thursday.
According to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, multiple wildfires, fuelled by strong winds and dry weather, have been raging across the country’s southeastern regions since last Friday.
More than 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres) have been scorched, making the fires the largest in South Korea’s history, surpassing the March 2000 blaze that consumed 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres).
Acting President Han Duck-soo described the situation as a “national crisis,” acknowledging the unprecedented scale and rapid spread of the fires.
“We are facing an extreme emergency, with numerous casualties due to the extraordinary speed at which the fires have spread,” he said during a government response meeting.
Strong winds hampering firefighting efforts
The government has deployed over 9,000 personnel, including firefighters and soldiers, alongside approximately 120 helicopters to battle the flames.
However, officials from the Korea Forest Service said gusty winds and dry conditions continue to hamper containment efforts.
“We are relying heavily on helicopters because of the mountainous terrain,” a safety ministry official stated. The South Korean military has also released aviation fuel reserves to support aerial firefighting operations.
A helicopter pilot was among the casualties after his aircraft crashed while battling the fires on Wednesday.
Moreover, four firefighters and emergency workers lost their lives when they were trapped by fast-moving flames.
The fires originating in Uiseong County have spread rapidly eastward, reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok—about 50 kilometres (30 miles) away—in just 12 hours, according to Won Myung-soo, director of satellite imagery analysis at the National Forestry Service.
On Thursday evening, brief rainfall was recorded in some affected areas. However, Lim Sang-seop, chief of the Korea Forest Service, cautioned that the expected precipitation—less than 5mm—would be insufficient to significantly curb the fires.
Historic temples destroyed
The wildfires have left a path of devastation across North Gyeongsang province, destroying homes, factories, and cultural landmarks.
Gounsa Temple, a historic Buddhist site in Uiseong dating back to 681 AD, suffered severe damage, with around 20 of its 30 structures, including two state-designated treasures, reduced to ashes.
“The buildings and relics preserved by Buddhist monks for over 1,300 years are now completely gone,” lamented Deungwoon, the temple’s head.
Firefighters are on high alert to protect the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hahoe Folk Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy in Andong.
The historic village, founded in the 14th century, features traditional Korean houses with thatched roofs. Officials fear that if the fire crosses the nearby stream, these irreplaceable sites could be at risk.
In Cheongsong, another fire-hit area, thick plumes of smoke billowed from Juwang Mountain as helicopters continued water-dousing operations. Efforts were also underway to shield temples and structures with fire-resistant materials.
Climate change and rising wildfire threats
Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of wildfires globally.
The Climate Central research group stated in a report that rising temperatures, driven by human-induced climate change, had worsened the region’s dry conditions, turning landscapes into “high-risk fire zones.”
Lee Han-kyung, deputy head of South Korea’s disaster response centre, told Yonhap News Agency that the current crisis highlights “the reality of the climate emergency we have never before experienced.”
Scientists have long cautioned that climate change is contributing to extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and severe wildfires, which are becoming deadlier and costlier worldwide.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, more than 37,800 people have been evacuated as the fires spread across the hardest-hit areas, including Andong, Uiseong, Sancheong, and Ulsan.
At least 32 people have been injured, and over 2,600 structures, including homes, factories, and vehicles, have been damaged or destroyed.
The Korea Forest Service has issued its highest-level wildfire warning, requiring local authorities to reinforce emergency response teams, tighten forest access restrictions, and advise military units to suspend live-fire drills.
