Rain and Cooler Weather Aid South Korean Fire Crews in Battling Devastating Wildfires

Heavy rain and cooler weather have helped South Korean firefighters control the country’s worst wildfires. These fires, which have been burning for a week, have destroyed large areas of land and killed 28 people. The governor of the worst-affected region has called for better disaster response strategies, blaming climate change for worsening the situation.

As of Friday morning, officials said that 85% of the fire had been controlled. The Korea Forest Service chief, Lim Sang-seop, announced that more helicopters and firefighters would be sent to put out the remaining flames. Thousands of houses, factories, and vehicles have been destroyed, leaving behind only ashes.

Destruction and evacuations

Firefighters wearing protective gear have been working tirelessly, spraying water on the flames. Helicopters have been dropping water from the air, but strong winds and dry conditions made the situation worse. Many residents had to leave their homes and take shelter in schools and gyms, but some fires even reached near these shelters.

A 79-year-old man, Seo Jae Tak, broke down in tears, saying that his entire mountain had turned to ashes. He and thousands of others have lost their homes and belongings. Over 9,000 personnel, including firefighters, military, and emergency workers, have been deployed to fight the fire. More than 125 helicopters and hundreds of vehicles have been used in the operation.

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Call for better response plans

The wildfires have burned over 47,860 hectares of land, forced 30,000 people to evacuate, and injured 37 people. While scientists cannot directly link one fire to climate change, experts believe rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions are making wildfires more common and severe.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo has urged the government to improve wildfire response plans. He emphasized the need for better evacuation procedures and more advanced firefighting equipment, especially for nighttime operations. Currently, firefighters struggle to work at night because they lack the proper tools.

Meanwhile, officials confirmed that most of the people who died were elderly, as they struggled to escape quickly. A helicopter pilot also lost his life while trying to contain the fire. In Uiseong, a historic temple complex that dates back to the 7th century suffered severe damage, with many ancient structures burned.

Authorities are now working on new strategies to prevent such disasters in the future.