March 29, 2025 3:00 pm

2 firefighters die in South Korea as dry winds fuel dozens of wildfires

 At least two firefighters died and hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in South Korea on Saturday as emergency workers struggled to contain more than 30 wildfires fueled by dry winds.

The largest fires were in southeastern regions, including the rural county of Sancheong, where 260 people fled to a temporary shelter as flames spread across the surrounding hills, according to the South Gyeongsang provincial government.

Two firefighters were found dead, while another firefighter and a government worker remain missing after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds in the area. Rescuers pulled out five emergency workers, who are now receiving treatment for their injuries, the provincial government said.

The Korea Forest Service said the Sancheong wildfire had burned over 500 hectares (1,200 acres) as of Saturday evening. Nearly 1,600 emergency workers, 35 helicopters and dozens of vehicles were deployed, but only 35% of the blaze was contained due to the area’s mountainous terrain and strong winds.

More than 400 people evacuated their homes in the county of Uiseong in North Gyeongsang province as firefighters continued to fight a blaze that so far burned 300 hectares (740 acres), according to the forest service, while dozens of residents also fled their homes in the city of Gimhae. The fires also forced the closures of several highway sections in the country’s southeast, including one connecting Ulsan and Busan, South Korea’s second largest city.

The national government designated the North and South Gyeongsang provinces and the southeastern city of Ulsan as disaster zones, and the country’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, vowed an all-out response to extinguish the flames.

Wildfires were also reported in central Chungcheong and southwestern Jeolla provinces.

Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Kizik Shoes Canada | Mephisto Shoes | Keen Canada | Oboz Boots | Chippewa Boots | Oofos Canada | Keen Outlet | Dolce Vita Boots | Marc Jacobs Canada | Born Shoes | Zeba Shoes | Georgia Boot | Propet Shoes | OOFOS Sandals | Haix Boots | Munro Shoes | Tory Burch Outlet | Drew Shoes | White Mountain Shoes | Nordace Canada | Brunt Boots | Redback Boots | Miz Mooz Canada | Sam Edelman Boots | Durango Boots | Richardson Caps | Rujo Boots | Cobb Hill Shoes | Norda Shoes | Fenoglio Boots | Macie Bean Boots | Avenger Boots | Terra Boots | Anodyne Shoes | Hoka Chaussures | Lucchese Outlet | R Watson Boots | Marc Jacobs Espana | Los Altos Boots | Nocona Boots |