South Korea is racing to contain a series of massive wildfires that have swept across the country, killing at least 4 people and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
The fires started on Friday in the Sancheong district and quickly spread, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency on Saturday. Over 300 firefighters and 20 helicopters were deployed to tackle the blazes.
As the situation worsened, the Ministry of the Interior declared a state of emergency in the city of Ulsan and the provinces of Gyeonggi and North Gyeongsang. The Korea Forest Service issued a “severe” warning, the highest level of alert, for 12 areas, including the provinces of Gyeonggi and North Gyeongsang, Busan, and Daejeon.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered all relevant agencies to mobilize their resources to put out the fires as quickly as possible. The government has also closed several roads leading to the affected areas for safety reasons.
The blazes have destroyed large swaths of land, and the full extent of the damage is still unknown. The cause of the fires is being investigated.
Emergency Response
The government has set up an emergency response team to coordinate relief efforts. The team is working to provide shelter and food to those who have been displaced by the fires.
- Over 200 people from 15 villages have been evacuated
- 304 firefighters and 20 helicopters are battling the blazes
- 12 areas have been placed under a “severe” fire warning
The situation is being closely monitored, and the government is working to prevent the fires from spreading further. The public has been advised to stay indoors and avoid traveling to the affected areas unless necessary.