Wildfires have intensified across South Korea’s southeast, claiming lives, destroying historical landmarks, and forcing evacuations as authorities scramble to contain the devastating blazes. On Tuesday, a UNESCO-listed village was evacuated, and a thousand-year-old Buddhist temple was completely consumed by flames as the country grappled with the crisis.
The ongoing wildfires, which broke out over the weekend, have killed at least four people, with thousands of residents and prisoners relocated to safety. Strong winds and dry weather have made firefighting efforts incredibly difficult, leading to over 14,000 hectares (36,310 acres) being scorched by Tuesday morning. This marks the third-largest wildfire event in South Korea’s history.
“The winds were so powerful, I couldn’t even stand still,” said Kwon So-han, a resident of Andong, describing how the fire engulfed his home. Emergency alerts were issued late Tuesday, urging residents of the historic Hahoe Folk Village in Andong, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to evacuate immediately as the flames approached.
The wildfires in Uiseong have also worsened, with smoke and haze blanketing the sky. Despite the efforts of more than 6,700 firefighters, the containment rate of the Uiseong fire dropped from 60% to 55% on Tuesday. The Korea Forest Service is working tirelessly, but the hazardous weather conditions are not helping.
In the morning hours, workers at Gounsa Temple, a 1,000-year-old Buddhist site, tried to move priceless artefacts and shield sacred statues, including a giant gilded Buddha, with fire retardant blankets. Unfortunately, by midday, the temple was completely destroyed by the flames. “It is heartbreaking to see such a precious temple, centuries old, lost to the fire,” said a monk from the Korea Heritage Service.
As the wildfires raged, over 3,500 inmates were relocated from correctional facilities in North Gyeongsang province to avoid danger. Local meteorologists warned that extremely dry air and strong winds could cause the flames to spread even further, turning even the smallest spark into a massive wildfire.
The fire in Uiseong is believed to have started accidentally when a person tending to a family grave inadvertently triggered the blaze, according to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. He urged the public to follow wildfire prevention guidelines strictly to prevent further disasters.
With the situation worsening, the fires are a reminder of the extreme weather patterns tied to climate change. South Korea’s worst fire to date occurred in 2000, burning over 23,900 hectares of land along the eastern coast. Meanwhile, neighboring Japan is also facing wildfires, with their worst blaze in over 50 years earlier this month, which killed at least one person and scorched nearly 3,000 hectares.
As the nation battles the infernos, the historic and cultural losses, along with the human toll, continue to weigh heavily on South Korea.
