South Korean authorities have resumed urgent operations on Thursday to combat the spread of devastating wildfires that are ravaging the country's southeastern regions. Helicopters, fire trucks, and over 5,000 personnel have been mobilized to tackle the inferno in Uiseong County, which has emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas. Despite a relentless week-long battle against the flames, officials are still struggling to contain the fires that have scorched thousands of hectares and tragically claimed at least 26 lives.
According to the Korea Forest Service, the current wildfire crisis is affecting more than 35,000 hectares in North Gyeongsang Province, marking it as the largest wildfire in South Korea's history. Weather forecasts indicate that approximately 5 mm of rain may fall in the affected areas; however, officials remain cautious about its potential impact. Lim Sang-seop, head of the Korea Forest Service, expressed concerns during a briefing, stating that the predicted rain is minimal and may not significantly assist in extinguishing the ongoing fires.
The wildfires have now reached an astonishing 35,810 hectares (88,500 acres), officially becoming the largest on record, as reported by South Korea's disaster chief, Lee Han-kyung. Lee highlighted that the wildfire is spreading rapidly and has already surpassed the area affected by the 2000 East Coast wildfire, which was previously the largest, by over 10,000 hectares. The 2000 incident consumed an area of 23,913 hectares (59,100 acres), setting a grim benchmark for future incidents.
As we continue to cover this unfolding crisis, it is critical to note that the wildfires began last Friday in Sancheong County and have since extended to neighboring regions, affecting nearly 36,000 hectares. Authorities have declared a state of emergency, and firefighting efforts are being intensified to control the flames. Current reports indicate that at least 26 people have tragically lost their lives, with 30 others injured. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as the wildfires rage on.
Wildfires are generally rare in South Korea, making the scale of casualties from this crisis unprecedented. Acting President Han Duck-soo has remarked that the ongoing situation is “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history.” As this critical moment unfolds, we will continue to provide live updates and coverage concerning the wildfires that have engulfed South Korea's southeastern region.
