South Korea wildfires claim 18 lives as government declares nationwide emergency

UISEONG, March 26 — At least 18 people have lost their lives in one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, with multiple blazes causing “unprecedented damage,” Acting President Han Duck-soo said today.

More than a dozen fires erupted over the weekend, with the death toll rising overnight as a major blaze swept through villages and reduced a historical temple to ashes.

The government has escalated the crisis alert to its highest level, declaring a "full-scale national response" to bring the fires under control.

“Eighteen people have died in the wildfires,” a safety ministry official told AFP, adding that six others were seriously injured, while 13 sustained minor injuries.

Dry, windy conditions have hampered containment efforts, prompting authorities to take the rare step of evacuating thousands of prisoners from detention centers in affected areas.

Yesterday, emergency alerts were issued for Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO-listed heritage site popular with tourists, as flames edged dangerously close.

"The wildfires burning for a fifth consecutive day in Ulsan and the Gyeongsang region are causing unprecedented damage," Han said.

Speaking at an emergency disaster meeting, he noted that the fires were "spreading beyond existing prediction models and expectations."

Despite emergency evacuations, casualties could not be avoided, Han said. Overnight, power and communication lines were severed in several areas, while roads became impassable due to the fires.

Thousands of firefighters have been deployed, but strong winds, reaching speeds of 25 meters per second, forced authorities to suspend helicopter and drone operations.

"Shifting wind directions and ongoing dry weather warnings have exposed the limitations of conventional firefighting methods," Han added.

Evacuees Flee as Fires Engulf Villages

Displaced residents, sheltering at Sinsung Elementary School’s gymnasium, described how quickly the flames consumed their villages, leaving them with no time to collect belongings.

"The wind was so strong," said Kwon So-han, a 79-year-old Andong resident. "As soon as I got the evacuation order, I ran. The fire came down from the mountain and engulfed my house. Those who haven’t experienced it won’t understand—I could only save myself."

Authorities continue to move more evacuees to temporary shelters while working to provide emergency relief and financial aid for those affected.

Forecasts predict rain later today, and officials hope even a light drizzle could help contain the blazes.

While some extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, are directly linked to climate change, others—including wildfires—result from a complex mix of environmental factors.

Local reports suggest that the fire in Uiseong was accidentally sparked by a person tending to a family grave site. — AFP