Overview

• The wildfires, now the third most severe in South Korea’s history, have burned over 17,000 hectares of forest, with damage continuing to grow.
• Eighteen people have died, with six seriously injured, and thousands have been evacuated to temporary shelters as fires threaten communities and cultural heritage sites.
• A firefighting helicopter crashed in Uiseong, killing the pilot, adding to the toll of the ongoing crisis.
• More than 6,700 firefighters, military personnel, and U.S. forces are deployed, but efforts are hindered by dry weather, strong winds, and haze.
• Authorities have declared a state of emergency in four regions, with UNESCO-listed Hahoe village and other cultural landmarks at risk.