Raging Wildfires Sweep Across South Korea
- Yewon Choi
- Mar 27
- 1 min read
Mar 27, 2025
Yewon Choi
South Korea is dealing with some of its worst wildfires in decades, with flames spreading quickly across the southeastern region. Strong winds and dry conditions have made the fires worse, forcing over 27,000 people to evacuate. Whole neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools closed, and even historic sites are at risk.
Firefighters and emergency teams are working hard to control the fires, using over 10,000 personnel and 87 helicopters. However, the fire remains a big challenge, especially in Uiseong County, where the fire is only 68% under control. Sadly, 24 people have died, most of them elderly. Also, a firefighting helicopter crashed while trying to put out the flames, killing the pilot.
The fires have burned more than 15,000 hectares (37,065 acres) of land, and have destroyed historical landmarks like Goun Temple, which was built in 681. Authorities are also working to protect UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Confucian Academy, by using fire retardants.
The government has declared the affected areas as special disaster zones and is providing help to those affected. While rain is expected soon, it will be light, which worries officials about the fires continuing. Experts are also warning that climate change is making wildfires more frequent and severe around the world.
As South Korea continues to fight the wildfires, there are growing concerns about the country's firefighting equipment and the need for more resources to prevent future disasters.
