Wildfires in South Korea, which have been ravaging the country since last Friday, have claimed the lives of at least 28 people and injured many more, according to Yonhap news agency. The fires have burned across approximately 48,000 hectares (118,000 acres) of forestland.
Following rainfall and cooler temperatures, firefighting efforts have improved, particularly against the strong winds that originally spread the blazes from Uiseong county to the coastal areas. Al Jazeera’s Jack Barton, reporting from Uiseong, mentioned that five out of the 11 major fires have been fully contained overnight, and while some continue to blaze, the intensity has significantly decreased in places like Uiseong, now down to 5% of their previous size.
Despite the progress, about 38,000 residents have been displaced from affected areas, as confirmed by the government’s disaster response agency. Lim Sang-seop, the chief of the Korea Forest Service, stated that all available resources will be used to extinguish the main fires by the end of the day.
The dry winds and prolonged drought have exacerbated the spread of the fires, a common issue during dry spells in South Korea. In recent years, the county has also seen an increase in average temperatures and extreme weather events, elevating the risk and severity of wildfires, signaling the ongoing impacts of climate change.
Barton highlighted that many buildings and farms have been destroyed, leaving tens of thousands of people evacuated. South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, has pledged to provide unlimited financial resources for rebuilding homes affected by the fires. Local authorities aim to move displaced persons out of temporary shelters as quickly as possible, recognizing the effort as a long-term process.