Wildfires in South Korea claim 4 lives, displace over 1 500 people
More than 30 wildfires have erupted across South Korea since March 21, 2025, claiming four lives and burning through more than 6 300 ha (15 568 acres) of residential and forest land.
Drone shot of Sancheong wildfire on March 21, 2025. Image credit: Korea Forest Service
Multiple wildfires burning across South Korea have claimed at least four lives, injured six, and forced over 1 500 people to evacuate to temporary shelters, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
Three of the four people who died were firefighters, and one was a public servant, according to Yonhap news agency. The fires have burned over 6 300 ha (15 568 acres) of residential and forest land since March 21.
Over 9 000 personnel and 105 helicopters were deployed to suppress the fires, which are primarily affecting the southeastern region of the country and have damaged residential buildings and a temple, according to authorities.
The country has seen over 30 wildfires erupting since March 21, including the one in Sancheong County, which continues to burn. The fires have been concentrated in the southeastern regions, specifically Sancheong and Ulju in South Gyeongsang Province and Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province.
As of March 24, the Sancheong fire is 85 % contained, Uiseong is at 60 %, and Ulju is at 83 % containment.
South Korea declared a state of disaster in the southern regions on March 22 to facilitate the mobilization of resources to contain the fires and designated Sancheong as a special disaster zone. The fires continue to burn in multiple areas of country with more detailed damage reports being expected to come up once they are fully contained.
References:
1 At least four people dead in South Korea’s wildfires – Reuters – March 24, 2025
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UPDATE — At Least 24 Dead And 27,000 Forced To Evacuate As South Korea Battles ‘Worst Ever Wildfires’ (Photos) —
– Forbes – Siladitya Ray – Forbes Staff – Updated Mar 26, 2025, 06:34am EDT –
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– EXCERPT — TOPLINE At least 24 people were killed and thousands forced to evacuate their homes as a series of deadly wildfires, which the country’s acting president described as its worst ever, spread through South Korea’s southeastern region on Wednesday.
KEY FACTS
– Aside from killing 24 people, the fires, which started late last week before expanding quickly, forced at least 27,000 others to evacuate from their homes, the Associated Press reported.
– Fire officials said at least 26 people have been injured by the fire, which has also destroyed at least 200 structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple.
– According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, hundreds of firefighting helicopters and around 5,000 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blazes, however, efforts to contain the blazes have been hampered by strong winds and dry weather.
– The country’s acting President Han Duck-soo delivered a televised address on Wednesday and said: “We are confronting the worst wildfires in our history using all available personnel and equipment, but the situation is not looking good.”
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FYI — Deadly wildfires kill at least 18 in South Korea —
– The Straits Times – UPDATED MAR 26, 2025, 09:30 AM –
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— EXCERPT — SEOUL – At least 18 people have been killed and 19 others injured in a series of devastating wildfires sweeping across South Korea’s southeastern region, with most of the victims in their 60s or older, according to the Korea Forest Service.
The fires that began in Sancheong County in North Gyeongsang Province on March 21 have spread to nearby Uiseong, and were advancing to neighboring Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok, fueled by strong and dry winds.
Of the victims, two were found in Andong, three were in Cheongsong, five were in Yeongyang and six in Yeongdeok, officials said.
Of the 10 people who were injured, two sustained serious injuries.
To battle the flames, the government dispatched 87 helicopters and more than 4,900 personnel, including firefighters, civil servants, and military troops, to affected areas on March 25.
In Yeongyang, four of the five victims were found burned to death on a road at around 11pm on March 24.
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