Forest Fires Ravage South Korea: Ulsan and Gyeongsang Provinces Brace for Crisis
Forest fire in South Korea claims four lives; over 200 individuals evacuated from the woods - Forest inferno in South Korea claims four lives; over 200 individuals forced to flee
Fighting against the elements, South Korea is grappling with a fierce wildfire crisis, particularly in regions such as Ulsan and the provinces of North and South Gyeongsang. The country has seen an outbreak of at least 16 forest fires over the course of a single weekend.
Over the past several days, strong winds and dry conditions, common to the spring season in the region, have fueled these wildfires, resulting in a state of emergency being declared by the Ministry of the Interior. Acting President Choi Sang Mok has urged relevant authorities to mobilize all resources to quell the rapidly spreading flames.
The fires initially broke out on March 21, 2025, and have since engulfed a substantial portion of affected areas, with smoke visible even from satellite imagery. Regions like Uiseong County and Sancheong County have been impacted severely, with historical structures, like the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Buddhist temple, going up in flames. According to the latest reports, at least 28 lives have been lost, and many more have been forced to evacuate.
As the situation remains critical, authorities are tirelessly working to contain the fires, deploying thousands of personnel and over 100 helicopters to the frontlines. In response to the escalating crisis, the government has declared a state of disaster for the affected regions. Delving deeper into the data, we see that, as of March 27, 2025, an estimated 38,000 hectares of land have been scorched by the relentless wildfires.
Despite the grim circumstances in Uiseong County and other regions, there is no current specific information on the situation in Ulsan and the Gyeongsang provinces. However, given the prevailing wildfire conditions in the broader Southeastern region, these areas remain under threat and require diligent monitoring. As efforts continue to combat these destructive infernos, we stand in solidarity with the people of South Korea, offering our support and prayers to those affected by this unimaginable disaster.
- Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, has also been affected by the crisis, as strong winds have carried the smokes from the forest fires in Ulsan and the Gyeongsang Provinces.
- Acting President Choi Sang Mok has ordered the mobilization of significant resources to fight the wildfires that have caused more than 200 people to evacuate and led to the death of four, as reported.
- The fires in South Korea have been intense, consuming forests and historical structures like the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Buddhist temple, and spreading to even city areas like Ulsan, despite mobilization efforts by thousands of personnel and over 100 helicopters.
