Wildfires Spread Across Gyeongsangbuk-do Prompting Massive Evacuations

Devastating wildfires that ignited in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on March 22, 2025, have wreaked havoc across several regions, leading to widespread evacuations as flames spread towards Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and ultimately Yeongdeok. The fires, intensified by strong winds, have resulted in injuries, power outages, and significant material destruction.

On March 25, at 5:54 PM, a fire erupted in Hwangjang-ri, Jipum-myeon, which is part of Yeongdeok-gun, escalating the already critical situation. As the flames traveled towards populated areas, the local government issued urgent evacuation orders. Around 7 PM on the same day, approximately 1,800 residents in Jipum-myeon and 1,000 in Dalsan-myeon were commanded to evacuate. Furthermore, residents in Yeonghae-myeon and Changsu-myeon—numbering around 5,800 and 1,500 respectively—were also instructed to leave their homes for safety, underscoring the urgency of the developing crisis.

Evacuation facilities were set up at the Yeongdeok National Sports Center and the Yeongdeok Culture and Sports Center, where residents were moved to ensure their safety. Plans were also announced to establish an evacuation center at Yeonghae Middle and High School as the situation continued to unfold.

By the late afternoon of March 25, as wind conditions worsened, the fire reached a patrol car from the Yeongdeok Police Station that was managing traffic on a closed road, forcing two officers to make a hasty escape. The incident exemplified the chaos that ensued as the fire prompted traffic backups and near reversals from fleeing residents.

The fire led to over 60 reported injuries, with many victims being assisted at local hospitals, including Yeongdeok Asan Hospital and Gangneung Asan Hospital. As of now, the flames have reached dangerously close to the hospitals themselves, compelling further shifts in emergency response strategy.

This catastrophic wildfire, initially reported to have a length of 279 kilometers by the Forest Service at 6 PM, continued its destructive path into the night, impacting areas such as Gisa-ri, Bokgol-ri, and Nakpyeong-ri—forcing firefighting crews to work in challenging conditions exacerbated by heavy smoke.

Moreover, the implications of the wildfire extend beyond immediate evacuations and injury; cultural heritage sites have faced severe threats. Just before the fires expanded into Andong, the Gounsa temple, founded in 681 AD, suffered extensive damage and destruction. Furthermore, nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Andong Hahoe Village, remain at risk as flames approach their vicinity.

As the fire continued to blaze, the Korea Forest Service escalated the national wildfire disaster alert to a 'Severe' level around 4 PM on March 25, urging heightened vigilance and rapid response across affected areas.

In the wake of this calamity, local governments scrambled to send evacuation notifications to citizens in the path of the advancing fire. At approximately 5 PM on March 25, emergency messages warned all Andong and Cheongsong residents to find safer ground, with notifications mentioning that the flames were now spreading to the vicinity of Andong University and potentially beyond.

As evacuation measures remained paramount, local authorities faced the logistical nightmare of maintaining order on the roads, which became increasingly congested with residents attempting to flee the rapidly encroaching flames.

Reports also emerged of other regional wildfires complicating matters, including a separate incident in Jinju City that caused authorities to deploy emergency responses on multiple fronts.

The situation remains fluid, with forest service officials continuing to evaluate conditions on the ground and adapt tactics for containment. With crews battling the flames by day and assessing the damage by night, communities are bracing for what could prove to be one of the region’s most devastating wildfire seasons.

As this wildfire crisis unfolds, the citizens of Yeongdeok, Andong, and Cheongsong continue to look toward their local governments for reassurance and concrete action amidst the chaos of an uncontrollable natural disaster.