South Korea’s worst wildfires have doubled in size since Wednesday, killing at least 28 people and incinerating historic temples as flames rage across 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres)—the largest forest fire in South Korea’s history.
The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in March 2000, but the current Uiseong county wildfire has surpassed it, fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds.
“We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,” The Acting President Han Duck-soo had said.
Over 120 firefighting helicopters were deployed across three regions with the military helping by releasing aviation fuel stocks to aid operations, especially as the mountainous terrain was further complicating containment efforts.
During the course of firefighting, one pilot was killed in a crash while battling flames.
The fires, which began in Uiseong, spread 50 km (30 miles) in just 12 hours, reaching Yeongdeok county near the coast.
Experts Say Climate Change is to be Blamed the Deadly Wildfire
Experts warn that human-caused climate change worsened conditions, turning dry landscapes into fire fuel.
South Korea is presently experiencing higher temperatures which intensified seasonal dryness. This unusual weather no doubt led to the extreme fire behavior—unprecedented in speed and scale.
Climate Central has warned of more frequent, deadly wildfires globally if the global warming scale doesn’t improve.
The Wildfire Threat: Historic Temples & UNESCO Sites at Risk
The fires have already destroyed 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong.
“The buildings and remains left by Buddhist monks over 1,300 years are now all gone,” said Deungwoon, head of Gounsa Temple. Firefighters are on high alert to protect Hahoe Village (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Byeongsan Confucian Academy (over 450 years old).
