South Korea Wildfires: Officials Struggle to Contain 'Worst' Blaze in History; Toll Rises to 27, 300 Structures Destroyed

Seoul: The devastating wildfires continue to ravage parts of South Korea as of Thursday.  The country's worst-ever wildfires have killed 27 people, forced hundreds and thousands of people to flee their homes and damaged over 300 structures, AP reported.

The wildfires, which began last Friday, are raging across southeastern South Korea, driven by strong winds and dry weather. Authorities have deployed thousands of personnel, helicopters, and firefighting equipment in a desperate attempt to control the fires. However, gusty winds continue to hinder containment efforts.  

Lee Han-kyung, deputy head of the government's disaster response center, acknowledged the growing severity of climate-related disasters, stating, “The wildfires have again disclosed ‘the reality of climate crisis that we have yet experienced,’” according to Yonhap News Agency.

Wildfires Ravage South Korea, Ancient Sites Destroyed

As of Thursday morning, over 9,000 personnel and around 120 helicopters were actively battling the flames. In Cheongsong, a major fire-hit region, thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from Juwang Mountain. Helicopters continued to drop water over the affected areas, showing some signs of progress.

The wildfires have burned approximately 36,010 hectares (88,980 acres) of land, making this one of the worst wildfire events in South Korea’s history. The disaster response center reported 32 injuries, the destruction of 325 buildings, and the forced evacuation of more than 37,180 people.  

The hardest-hit areas include Andong city, Uiseong, Sancheong, and Ulsan. In Andong, authorities evacuated villages, including Puncheon, which houses the historic Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded between the 14th and 15th centuries.  

Historic and religious sites have also suffered devastating losses. In Uiseong, the Gounsa Temple complex, originally built in the 7th century, has been severely damaged. Approximately 20 out of 30 structures at the temple have burned, including two state-designated “treasures”—a pavilion built in 1668 and a Joseon-era structure from 1904.  

The Korea Forest Service has raised the wildfire warning to its highest level, requiring local governments to increase emergency response efforts, restrict forest entry, and advise military units to postpone live-fire exercises.  

Efforts continue to contain the blazes, but with dry conditions and strong winds persisting, authorities remain on high alert, fearing further destruction in the days ahead.