Massive Wildfire in South Korea – 15,000 Hectares Burned, Emergency Declared in Four Regions, 6,700 Firefighters Deployed

Massive Wildfire in South Korea – 15,000 Hectares Burned, Emergency Declared in Four Regions, 6,700 Firefighters Deployed

Wiesong, South Korea – The ongoing devastating wildfires in South Korea have worsened, officials reported on Tuesday, as dry and gusty winds continue to challenge efforts to control what is now one of the largest fires in the country’s history.

Multiple wildfires broke out over the weekend, with the Minister of Security confirming that thousands of hectares have burned, resulting in the deaths of four people.

Interim Minister of Interior and Security, Ko Ki-dong, stated, “So far, the wildfires have burned approximately 14,694 hectares (36,310 acres) of land, and the damage is increasing.” This marks the third-largest wildfire in South Korea’s history. The largest occurred in April 2000, burning 23,913 hectares (59,090 acres).

More than 3,000 people have been evacuated to shelters, Ko confirmed, while at least 11 people have been seriously injured.

"Strong winds, dry weather, and smoke are hampering firefighting efforts," Ko said during a disaster and security meeting.

The government is "deploying the maximum available resources," he added, stating that today, 110 helicopters and over 6,700 personnel will be mobilized.

In Wiesong, the sky was filled with smoke and haze, as observed by AFP reporters. Local temple staff were seen trying to relocate historical artifacts and cover Buddhist statues to protect them from potential damage.

The Korea Forest Service reported that the fire containment rate in Wiesong dropped from 60% to 55% on Tuesday morning.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Interior and Security, more than 6,700 firefighters have been deployed, with nearly two-fifths of them sent to Wiesong to combat the flames.

The government has declared a state of emergency in four regions due to "the widespread destruction caused by simultaneous wildfires across the country."

There is a well-established link between some extreme weather events, such as heatwaves or heavy rainfall, and climate change. However, wildfires, droughts, blizzards, and vegetation-fueled storms often result from a combination of complex factors.