At least 24 dead in South Korea's 'worst ever fires' | BBC News

South Korea Wildfires: Unprecedented Crisis

Key Concepts: Wildfires, emergency response, evacuation, national crisis, weather conditions, illegal burning, cultural heritage, emergency funding, emergency alerts, response systems.

Overview of the Wildfire Situation

South Korea is facing its worst wildfire disaster in history, with acting President warning of an unprecedented situation. The fires, which began in Uong County, have spread rapidly due to strong winds (nearly 27 meters per second), impacting areas like Andong City and Chong County. Over 17,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed. At least 24 people have died, including a helicopter pilot, and dozens more are injured.

Emergency Response and Resource Mobilization

The government has declared a national crisis and mobilized significant resources:

• Personnel: Approximately 5,000 personnel, including firefighters, soldiers, police, and other crews.
• Aircraft: Over 128 helicopters, including support from US military stations in South Korea.
• Firefighting Crews: 1,100 firefighting crews.
• Military Personnel: 1,100 military personnel.
• Public Officials: 4,500 public officials.

The focus is on protecting residential areas. Emergency funding and supplies are being provided to evacuees and those who have lost their homes.

Impact and Damage

• Evacuations: 28,000 people have been evacuated and are staying in shelters like schools and local gyms.
• Property Damage: Dozens of homes have been burned down. A historic 300-year-old temple is among the buildings destroyed.
• Cultural Heritage: One of Korea's greatest cultural treasures is within 5 kilometers of the fire.

Weather Conditions and Contributing Factors

The intensity of the wildfires is attributed to a combination of factors:

• Strong Winds: Winds blowing at nearly 27 meters per second have rapidly spread the flames.
• Dry Air: Dry air conditions have exacerbated the fire risk.
• Warmer Than Usual Weather: Unseasonably warm weather has contributed to the intensity of the fires.

Andrew Salmon, Asia correspondent at the Washington Times, noted "surprisingly high winds which were actually raising because the ground now is so dry sort of dust devils almost mini sandstorms which I've never seen before."

Historical Context and Comparison

• Largest Wildfire on Record (2000): Burned nearly 24,000 hectares and resulted in two deaths.
• 2022 Fire: Smaller in scale with one death.
• Current Fire: Ranks third in size (17,000 hectares) but is the deadliest.

Government Response and Future Measures

The government is promising to take a hard look at how these fires are handled going forward. Potential measures include:

• Tougher Rules on Illegal Burning: Addressing the common but risky habit of burning trash in rural areas.
• Better Emergency Alerts: Improving the speed and effectiveness of emergency alerts.
• Faster Response Systems: Enhancing the speed and efficiency of response systems.

Illegal Burning and Rural Practices

Officials suspect that some fires may have started from people burning trash. Andrew Salmon noted that "the older generation of Koreans do have a habit of of burning stuff" in rural areas. While younger Koreans are more aware of green issues, this practice remains common in many rural areas.

Conclusion

South Korea is grappling with an unprecedented wildfire crisis, driven by a combination of strong winds, dry air, and warmer-than-usual weather. The government has mobilized significant resources to combat the fires and support affected communities. Future measures are being considered to prevent similar disasters, including stricter regulations on illegal burning and improved emergency response systems. The situation is considered a national crisis, with significant damage to property, cultural heritage, and loss of life.