At least 19 people have lost their lives in one of South Korea’s most devastating wildfire outbreaks in recent history.
The fires, which ignited over the weekend, have swept through the southeastern part of the country, leaving destruction in their wake and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
According to authorities, more than a dozen fires broke out in various locations, scorching vast areas of land and causing widespread panic. As of Wednesday morning, officials reported that 18 civilians had died due to the fires, while a firefighting pilot was also killed when his helicopter crashed during an emergency response operation.
Evacuations and Widespread Devastation
The raging blazes have led to the urgent evacuation of at least 27,000 residents as strong winds fueled the rapid spread of the fires. The infernos have destroyed entire neighborhoods, razed a historic Buddhist temple to the ground, and disrupted critical infrastructure, including communication lines and roads.
South Korea’s Ministry of Interior and Safety confirmed that the wildfires have so far burned through 17,398 hectares (42,991 acres) of land, with the largest blaze in Uiseong County alone accounting for nearly 87% of the total scorched area.
In the ancient city of Andong, where evacuation orders were swiftly enforced, many residents were forced to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. One elderly evacuee, Kwon So-han, 79, shared his harrowing experience: “The fire came from the mountain and fell on my house. I had no time to take anything. I just ran.”
Government’s Response and Firefighting Challenges
Acting President Han Duck-soo declared the wildfires a national emergency, raising the crisis alert to its highest level. At an emergency safety and disaster meeting, he warned that the fires were “developing in a way that is exceeding both existing prediction models and earlier expectations.”
Despite the deployment of thousands of firefighters and emergency personnel, efforts to contain the fires have been significantly hampered by extreme weather conditions. Authorities noted that winds reaching speeds of 25 meters per second had made aerial firefighting nearly impossible, leading to the suspension of helicopter and drone operations.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred when a firefighting helicopter crashed while attempting to control the flames in a mountainous region. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, died on impact, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by emergency responders.
Impact on Cultural Heritage and Environment
The fires have also posed a significant threat to South Korea’s cultural heritage sites. The renowned Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO-listed world heritage site, is under severe risk as firefighters battle to keep the flames from engulfing the historic location.
“The sky has turned grey with thick smoke,” reported an AFP journalist on the scene. “Fire trucks and police cars are lined up along the perimeter of the village as authorities try to prevent a catastrophe.”
Additionally, the region’s ancient Gounsa Temple, a prominent Buddhist monastery, was completely reduced to ashes, further compounding the destruction caused by the blazes.
The Role of Climate Change in the Disaster
Experts believe that climate change may have played a role in the severity of these wildfires.
South Korea recently recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, with average temperatures reaching 14.5 degrees Celsius—two degrees higher than the preceding 30-year average. Prolonged dry weather and below-average precipitation levels have created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread uncontrollably.
Climatologist Yeh Sang-Wook of Hanyang University stated, “While we cannot attribute every fire directly to climate change, it is clear that warming temperatures and reduced ground moisture have increased the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Unfortunately, wildfires will become more common as our climate continues to change.”
Cause of the Fires and Ongoing Investigations
While the exact causes of all the fires remain under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that human activity may have played a role in some cases. One of the major blazes in Uiseong County is believed to have been accidentally started by an individual tending to a family grave.
Authorities are now calling for stricter regulations and increased public awareness to prevent future incidents, especially in fire-prone regions.
As firefighting operations continue, the South Korean government has pledged full support to affected communities.
Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents, and relief efforts are underway to provide food, water, and medical aid to those in need.
With no significant rainfall expected in the coming days, authorities remain on high alert.
Experts warn that unless weather conditions improve or additional resources are mobilized, the situation could worsen, leading to even greater devastation.
The South Korean people now watch anxiously, hoping that the combined efforts of firefighters, emergency responders, and government officials will soon bring the catastrophe under control before more lives and historical treasures are lost.
