At least 28 people killed by largest wildfires in South Korea's recorded history that continue to spread

South Korean officials have stated that the forest fires currently raging across the country have resulted in 28 deaths and continue to spread, making them the largest and deadliest in the nation's history. More than a dozen fires have already forced approximately 37,000 people to flee their homes, with vast areas of southeastern South Korea being consumed by flames. The scale of this disaster underscores the urgent need for enhanced fire prevention and management strategies.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 27 people have died and dozens have been injured, with the number of casualties likely to rise. This is the highest death toll since the Korea Forest Service began recording forest fires in 1987. Lee Han-kyung, head of the disaster safety department, stated that over 35,000 hectares of forest have been burned, and the fire is still spreading "rapidly." The extent of the damage makes this the largest forest fire in South Korea's history, surpassing the fire that occurred on the east coast in April 2000, which burned 23,913 hectares of land.

Authorities have indicated that changing wind directions and dry weather conditions have exposed the limitations of traditional firefighting methods. Many of the victims were local residents, particularly the elderly. At least three firefighters have died, including a fire helicopter pilot who died in a crash in the mountains. While last year was the hottest on record for South Korea, data from the Korea Meteorological Administration shows that temperatures in the months leading up to the fire were lower than last year and in line with the country's 30-year average. However, the affected areas have been experiencing unusually dry weather with below-average rainfall.

"This wildfire once again exposes the stark reality of our unprecedented climate crisis," said Lee Han-kyung, head of the disaster department. He added, "The affected areas have only received half of the average rainfall, and this, combined with unusually strong winds, has greatly accelerated the spread of the fire, exacerbating the damage." Yeh Sang-Wook, a climatology professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, told AFP that insufficient rainfall has dried out the land, "creating favorable conditions for wildfires." He stated, "We cannot say that this is solely due to climate change, but climate change is directly (and) indirectly affecting the changes we are experiencing now. This is an undeniable fact."

Hong Suk-hwan, a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Pusan National University, believes that South Korea's forest management measures should also bear some responsibility. He said that South Korea prioritizes the protection of large pine trees rich in oily resin, rather than allowing a variety of deciduous trees to thrive. He told AFP, "If a fire breaks out, is it easier to spread on wet paper or dry paper soaked in oil? Our forests are basically covered with paper soaked in oil, creating an environment where wildfires can spread at an astonishing rate." If South Korea could plant more deciduous trees, forming natural mixed forests, it would "slow the spread of wildfires and prevent them from escalating."

In order to protect Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, South Korea's oldest wooden structure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a 200-year-old pine tree was cut down. "We had no choice but to cut it down... the fire was spreading rapidly from one pine tree to another," the abbot said. According to AFP reporters, at Byeongsan Seowon, a former Confucian academy and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the sky was hazy, and fire trucks were spraying water and fire retardant on the historic site, desperately trying to save it. Lee Seung-myung of the Andong Fire Department told AFP, "We spray three tons of water every day." Choi Young-ho, a firefighter at the heritage site, said that they could only leave it to fate. "If there is a strong wind, it will bring flames from a distance - this is a very worrying situation," he said.

Local forecasts predict rain later on Thursday, which may provide authorities with a much-needed window to extinguish the fires. The anticipation of rainfall offers a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing devastation, potentially easing the immense strain on firefighters and affected communities.