At least 28 dead as firefighters battle to contain blazes

Key Concepts:

• Wildfires in South Korea
• Evacuation of residents
• Firefighting efforts
• Special disaster zone declaration
• Relief and recovery efforts
• UNESCO World Heritage site protection (Haway Village)

Wildfire Overview and Impact:

• South Korean firefighters are battling rapidly spreading wildfires in the country's southeast.
• The main wildfire in Uong is 95% contained.
• At least 28 people have died, and 32 others have been injured, some critically, since the blazes began last Friday.
• The wildfires are the largest and deadliest since records began in 1987. The death toll is expected to rise.
• More than 38,000 hectares of forests have been burned, and numerous buildings have been destroyed.
• Approximately 38,000 people have been forced to evacuate, primarily from the Uong and Andong areas.

Challenges in Containing the Fires:

• Strong winds, lack of rainfall, and low humidity have hampered efforts to stop the spread of the flames.
• The blaze reportedly doubled in size from Wednesday to Thursday.

Firefighting and Resource Deployment:

• Officials are deploying 44 firefighting helicopters and around 21,000 personnel.
• Preemptive measures are being taken to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site of Haway Village in Andong.
• Close to 120 firefighters and 20 firefighting vehicles have been deployed to spray water on the village's traditional wooden and straw thatched houses.

Regional Spread and Affected Areas:

• The fire started in Son Chong County in North Kong Province and spread to Chitty Mountain, the country's second tallest mountain.
• A fire was also reported in North Chola Province in Muju, known for its ski resort, but much of that fire has been put down.

Government Response and Disaster Declaration:

• Acting President Hondoku ordered acting interior minister Kiddong to stay in North Kong province to oversee relief and recovery efforts.
• Four areas, including Andong City, were declared a special disaster zone on Thursday due to the extensive forest fires, displacement of residents, and damage caused by the wildfire.

Evacuation and Shelter:

• More than 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and are staying in shelters set up across different cities and counties.
• Many elderly residents are worried about their homes and their future.

Relief and Recovery Efforts:

• South Koreans across the country have come forward to help with the recovery and relief efforts.
• Apart from donations from conglomerates and companies, many individuals have also started making donations through the cacao mashing app.
• Approximately 5 billion won (about 3.4 million US dollars) have been raised to help those impacted by the wildfires.

Haway Village Protection:

• The folk village is around 600 years old.
• Efforts are focused on protecting the traditional wooden and straw thatched houses from the fire.

Conclusion:

The wildfires in South Korea have caused significant devastation, resulting in loss of life, widespread destruction of forests and property, and mass evacuations. The government and citizens are actively engaged in firefighting, relief, and recovery efforts, with a focus on protecting cultural heritage sites and supporting affected communities. The challenges posed by weather conditions continue to complicate containment efforts.