Rain Helps South Korean Firefighters Contain Historic Wildfires

Rain and cooler temperatures are providing much-needed relief to South Korean fire crews battling the worst wildfires in the country’s history. As of Friday, March 28, 2025, the wildfires have claimed the lives of 28 individuals and devastated vast areas in the southeastern regions. The fires, which have been raging for over a week, are now reported to be 85% contained, according to Lim Sang-seop, the chief of the Korea Forest Service (KFS).

Lim stated during a televised briefing that authorities are launching "all-out efforts" to extinguish the remaining flames by deploying additional helicopters and firefighters to the affected areas. The wildfires have already destroyed thousands of homes, factories, vehicles, and other structures, leaving behind a landscape of charred earth. "Hazes have been diminished because of the rain last night, so that’s favorable for securing visibility. Also, temperatures are now lower than the last few days, so things are very favorable to put out the wildfires," Lim explained.

Firefighters, many of whom are in their 60s, are navigating through the forests wearing yellow helmets and red protective suits as they spray fire suppressants on the flames that flicker nearby. Helicopters have been busy dropping buckets of water on the glowing hills as residents take shelter in temporary accommodations such as schools and gyms. However, the fire has come perilously close to these shelters, with one evacuee sharing a video of flames approaching a school soccer field under a thick blanket of smoke.

"I just kept crying this morning," said 79-year-old Seo Jae Tak, who is currently staying at a gym in Andong city. "When I went back yesterday, the entire mountain had turned to ashes. It’s just unbelievable; I can’t even put it into words. All I can do is cry." The government’s disaster response center has mobilized approximately 9,000 personnel, 125 helicopters, and hundreds of vehicles to combat the wildfires. Since last Friday, the fires have burned 47,860 hectares (118,265 acres) of land, forcing over 30,000 people to evacuate their homes and injuring 37 others.

As of Friday, around 8,000 residents remain in temporary shelters. The fires have been fueled by strong winds and dry weather, prompting officials to acknowledge the role of climate change in exacerbating such disasters. While it is challenging to link any specific event directly to climate change, experts agree that it is increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires.

Lee Cheol-woo, the governor of North Gyeongsang Province, emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the wildfire response strategy in light of extreme climate conditions. He noted that the recent wildfires have demonstrated how quickly such disasters can overwhelm the country’s resources. "We must completely overhaul our wildfire response strategy in the face of extreme climate conditions," Lee said during a news conference.

He plans to request that the government establish better evacuation guidelines and invest in more effective firefighting tools, including aircraft equipped with water cannons. Lee also highlighted the need for improved firefighting capabilities during nighttime hours, stating, "We don’t have the equipment for firefighting at night. In the night, firefighting is done solely with manual efforts, but with the increased density of our forests compared to the past, it’s difficult to manage with just that." On Thursday, Lee Han-kyung, deputy head of the disaster response center, remarked that the wildfires reveal "the reality of the climate crisis that we have yet experienced," as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

The casualties from the wildfires include a pilot who died when his helicopter crashed while trying to contain the flames, as well as four firefighters and other workers who were trapped by the rapidly advancing fire. Many of those who lost their lives were elderly, highlighting the vulnerabilities of older residents in evacuation situations. In Uiseong, approximately 20 of the 30 structures at the historic Gounsa temple complex, originally built in the 7th century, have been destroyed. Among the lost structures were two state-designated treasures: a pavilion dating back to 1668 and a Joseon dynasty building erected in 1904.

In a related development, the South Korean military has deployed over 5,000 service members and dispatched 146 helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts. Thousands of firefighters have been working tirelessly since the fires began last Friday in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province. The flames have spread rapidly to Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, driven by dry winds.

As the situation continues to evolve, Korea University announced on March 26, 2025, that it would offer scholarships to students from the areas affected by the wildfires, providing some hope for those displaced by the disaster. With more than 37,000 residents displaced, including 30,000 in the Uiseong and Andong areas, the community is rallying to support one another in the face of this unprecedented crisis.

As the firefighting efforts persist, the focus remains on containing the remaining blazes and assessing the extensive damage caused by these wildfires. The call for improved strategies and resources to combat such disasters is louder than ever, as South Korea grapples with the realities of climate change and its impact on the frequency and severity of wildfires.