At Least 28 Dead In The Largest Wildfires In South Korean
With more than 48,000 hectares destroyed and at least 28 dead, the flames raged through the mountainous regions of the southeastern part of the country for nearly a week, forcing more than 38,000 people to flee their homes. Although the South Korean government has brought the situation under control, the fire has caused significant material damage and affected historical cultural heritage in one of the worst forest fires in the country's history.
South Korean authorities declared the devastating forest fires in the southeast of the country under control on Friday (28.03.2025), the worst in its history, which have burned some 48,000 hectares and caused the deaths of at least 28 people.
Lim Sang-seop, director of the Korea Forest Service, reported that the largest fire in North Gyeongsang Province, which started around noon last Saturday, was extinguished by Friday afternoon.
The blaze, which has been burning for a week in the worst-hit province, was declared contained at 5:00 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. CET), the national forestry services agency reported, thanks to improved visibility and cooler temperatures from the previous night's rains, which helped firefighters extinguish the main blazes.
At least 28 dead, 37 injured and 38,000 evacuated
Fire crews continued working on the blaze in South Gyeongsang Province, which was 93% contained as of early afternoon today. The burned forest area is double the 23,794 hectares damaged by the wildfires that ravaged the Asian country's east coast in 2000, the most devastating to date.
The wave of fires has left at least 28 dead, including two firefighters and the pilot of a helicopter that crashed while fighting the blaze, as well as 37 people with various injuries. The spread of the flames forced the temporary evacuation of some 38,000 people, the agency said.
Massive deployment, blocked roads, and damaged cultural heritage
Some 5,580 firefighters and soldiers participated today in containment and extinguishing efforts in Uiseong County, the hardest hit county. Eighty-six helicopters and 569 fire trucks were also deployed. The flames blocked roads and cut communication lines, causing people to flee in panic and become trapped in their cars.
The fires have also damaged at least 30 cultural heritage sites across the country, including Yakgye Hall in Andong County, the Gigokjesa ritual house in Cheongsong County, both built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and Manjang Temple in Uiseong, which dates back to the Unified Silla period (668-918).
Parallels with California
Scientist Kimberley Simpson, an expert in nature-based climate solutions, draws a parallel between these fires and those that ravaged California in January. "Both were preceded by unusually hot and dry conditions that left vegetation highly flammable, and both were intensified by strong winds that spread the flames and made extinguishing difficult," he told AFP.
"In just three months of 2025, we've already seen unprecedented fire activity across multiple regions," added the researcher from the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences. "As climate change raises temperatures and alters rainfall patterns, the conditions that fuel these devastating fires are becoming more frequent," he warned.
