Forest fires in South Korea have escalated quickly, sweeping across vast areas covering thousands of hectares, affecting historical locations, and forcing over 37,000 individuals to evacuate their homes.
Heavy overnight rain and lower temperatures assisted firefighters in battling intense wildfires in southeast South Korea, where the fires had resulted in 28 fatalities and forced numerous evacuations.
The area is currently battling its most severe wildfires ever documented.
On Friday, the national forestry service announced that a forest fire in Yeongdeok County, which was among several blazes affecting the southeast part of the nation, had been brought under control.
Authorities stated that up to early Friday, 95% of the reported fires had been extinguished in Uiseong County, and 85% of them had also been brought under control in the adjacent city of Andong.
"The haze has decreased due to the rainfall from last night, which improves visibility conditions. Additionally, temperatures are currently cooler compared to recent days, making it highly conducive for extinguishing the wildfires," stated Korea Forest Service Minister Lim Sang-seop.
Lim stated that every accessible resource would be utilized "in an attempt to contain the main fires today."
Climate change exacerbating conditions
The fires, starting in Uiseong, spread rapidly , have ravaged over 45,000 hectares of terrain, affecting important historical locations, and forced the relocation of more than 37,000 individuals.
Over 125 helicopters were dispatched by authorities to assist the firefighters battling challenging conditions including strong winds and arid environments.
Choi Chul-woo, the governor of North Gyeongsang Province, has urged for an overhaul of firefighting strategies .
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"Nationwide we face a grave crisis due to the extensive loss of life from the unusually swift expansion of wildfires," Acting President Han Duck-soo stated during a governmental emergency assembly.
Specialists caution that global warming is exacerbating the occurrence and intensity of these blazes.