Wildfires rage across South Korea, claiming 27 lives in deadliest blaze. Image: CNA.
(The Post News)– Wildfires in South Korea intensified on Thursday, doubling in size overnight, with the disaster claiming at least 27 lives and destroying historic temples, prompting authorities to declare it the country’s most devastating natural fire disaster.
Acting President Han Duck-soo said in a government response meeting that they are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires.
In a government response meeting, acting President Han Duck-soo says they are in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires. To combat the persistent wildfires in South Korea’s southeastern mountainous regions, the military has supplied aviation fuel to support the continued operation of firefighting helicopters, which have been battling the flames for almost a week.
The safety ministry said over the 120 helicopters were deployed in three regions fighting the blazes. South Korea relies heavily on helicopters to combat forest fires, due to the country’s mountainous terrain. A helicopter pilot died on Wednesday after crashing while trying to tackle a blaze.
Gusty winds and dry conditions have fueled the rapid eastward spread of the Uiseong-originated wildfires, which have now reached nearly the coast. Director of satellite imagery analysis for the national forestry service, Won Myung-soo said the Uiseong fire started spreading rapidly on Wednesday, reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok about 50 km away in just 12 hours.
Although the weather forecast predicts some rain for southwest South Korea, the affected areas are only expected to receive less than five millimeters of precipitation, which is unlikely to significantly aid in extinguishing the wildfires. According to Korea Forest Service Minister Lim Sang-seop, the minimal rainfall will provide little relief.
Experts have noted that the Uiseong fire’s rapid spread and scale are unusually extreme. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires globally. The Climate Central group attributes the fire’s intensity to higher temperatures, exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which turned the region’s dry landscapes into combustible fuel.
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