The forest fire in South Korea over the past week was the worst in the country’s history when more than 48,000 hectares of forest were burned, equivalent to 80% of the capital Seoul.
South Korean authorities on March 28 were still trying to extinguish forest fires raging in the southeastern part of the country after precious rain the night before, Yonhap news agency reported.
On the morning of March 28, South Korea’s national disaster response agency said that since March 21, forest fires have killed 28 people, injured 37 and forced about 38,000 people to evacuate.
The past week has marked the worst forest fires in South Korea’s history, with the area damaged more than doubling the previous record of 23,794 hectares in 2000. The current estimate is more than 48,000 hectares, equivalent to 80% of the capital Seoul.
Lim Sang-seop, director of the Korea Forest Service, told reporters that the agency expects to extinguish the main fires by March 28. Current weather conditions are considered “favorable” after rain on the night of March 27.
In Uiseong County – one of the three forest fire hotspots – and several other localities in Gyeongsangbuk Province, about 5,580 firefighters, 86 firefighting helicopters and 569 fire trucks have been deployed.
Officials said the fire in Uiseong was 95% contained. Light rain is expected to continue in the area on March 28, but the likelihood of it directly affecting the fires is minimal.
The Korean Buddhist Sangha announced on March 27 that the abbot of Beopseongsa Temple in Yeongyang County (Gyeongsangbuk Province) passed away due to a forest fire. The fire spread to Beopseongsa Temple on the afternoon of March 25, destroying almost all of the temple’s structures, including the main hall.
The body of the 85-year-old monk was found in a building inside the temple on March 26. Locals believe that the monk decided to stay to protect the temple.
As of early morning on March 28, about 76% of the fire in Yeongyang had been controlled.
A CH-47 firefighting helicopter of the Republic of Korea Air Force participates in extinguishing a forest fire in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk Province. Photo: CHOSUN
In Sancheong County (Gyeongsangnam Province), the authorities have controlled 86% of the fire. However, the fire is threatening the edge of Jirisan National Park , where the terrain is steep and there is a risk of the fire spreading very quickly, according to Chosun .
The Korea Forest Service deployed a record 36 firefighting helicopters to Jirisan National Park on March 28. The U.S. Forces Korea is expected to send four military helicopters to assist in firefighting operations in Jungsan Village, not far east of Jirisan.
In a press release on March 27, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce “sent our sincerest condolences” to those affected by the wildfires in South Korea over the past week and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to providing necessary assistance to Seoul.
As of early morning on March 28, in other areas, the forest fire control rate was over 85%. Only in Yeongdoek County (Gyeongsangbuk Province), the fire fighting force had only controlled 65% of the fire.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Donate $4 Million To Help South Koreans
Amidst the tense situation, a humanitarian act from Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, football player Travis Kelce, has attracted public attention. According to sources, the couple donated $4 million to support people affected by the forest fire disaster in South Korea.
The money is said to be allocated to support temporary housing, providing food and necessities for evacuees. Taylor Swift has repeatedly shown her interest in humanitarian issues and has donated millions of dollars to disaster relief efforts around the world. This action continues to affirm her and her boyfriend’s spirit of charity.
