Raging blazes force mass evacuations and threaten historic sites

One of South Korea’s most devastating wildfire outbreaks has claimed at least 24 lives, officials reported Wednesday, as fires continue to spread across the southeast, cutting off roads, disrupting communication, and forcing thousands to flee.

More than a dozen fires broke out over the weekend, scorching vast areas and prompting around 27,000 residents to evacuate in panic. The flames have destroyed neighborhoods and razed an ancient temple, with officials warning that the situation remains critical.

Rising death toll and extensive destruction

The Ministry of Interior and Safety confirmed that 24 people have died so far, with 12 others seriously injured. Most of the victims were local residents, but the fires also claimed the lives of three firefighters and a pilot, whose helicopter crashed in a mountainous area during firefighting operations.

According to government data, the wildfires have burned through 17,398 hectares, with the blaze in Uiseong County alone accounting for 87% of the total damage. This makes it the second-largest wildfire disaster in South Korea’s history, following the April 2000 inferno that scorched 23,913 hectares.

Government declares highest crisis alert

In response to the crisis, the government has raised the wildfire alert to its highest level and taken the rare step of transferring inmates from prisons in affected areas.

“Wildfires burning for a fifth consecutive day… are causing unprecedented damage,” said South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo.

During an emergency disaster meeting, he admitted that the fires were progressing in ways that exceeded existing prediction models.

“Throughout the night, chaos continued as power and communication lines were cut in several areas and roads were blocked,” he added.

Residents forced to flee with nothing

In the city of Andong, some evacuees taking shelter in an elementary school gym described the harrowing experience of escaping the fires.

“The wind was so strong,” said 79-year-old Kwon So-han. “As soon as I got the evacuation order, I fled. The fire came from the mountain and fell on my house. Those who haven’t experienced it won’t know—I could only bring my body.”

Firefighting helicopters had been deployed to battle the blazes, but authorities suspended aerial operations after Wednesday’s helicopter crash. Officials acknowledged that shifting wind patterns and dry conditions were making conventional firefighting methods less effective.

UNESCO-listed sites under threat

By Wednesday, two UNESCO-listed sites, the historic Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan Seowon, were under threat. Authorities said the fire was just five kilometers from Hahoe, where traditional thatched-roof houses could be at risk.

Firefighters remained on high alert at Byeongsan Seowon, a historic Confucian academy, as large plumes of smoke turned the sky gray. AFP reporters witnessed massive chunks of ash falling from the sky as fire trucks sprayed water and fire retardants in a desperate attempt to protect the cultural heritage sites.

Climate change and extreme weather fueling wildfire

Experts say that unusually dry conditions and rising temperatures have played a role in the severity of the fires. Last year was South Korea’s hottest on record, with an average temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius—two degrees higher than the preceding 30-year average.

“We can’t say it’s only due to climate change, but it is directly and indirectly affecting the conditions we are experiencing now,” said Yeh Sang-Wook, a climatology professor at Hanyang University in Seoul.

“As the atmosphere becomes warmer, moisture in the ground evaporates more easily, making it drier and creating ideal conditions for wildfires to occur more frequently.”

Authorities believe the major blaze in Uiseong was accidentally ignited by a person tending to a family grave.

Firefighters and locals battle to save homes

Many residents have been fighting to protect their properties, including apple farmer Cho Jae-oak, who spent the entire day spraying water around his house to prevent it from catching fire.

“We kept spraying and guarding it. When the fire was burning on the mountain, fireballs flew here,” he said. “Eventually, we had no choice but to leave.”

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