Overview

• The death toll from South Korea's wildfires has risen to at least 25, including a firefighting helicopter pilot killed in a crash during operations in Uiseong.
• The fires, which began on March 21 in Sancheong County, have burned over 40,000 hectares, making them the third-largest in the country's history.
• Cultural landmarks, including the thousand-year-old Gounsa Temple, have been destroyed, while the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Village remains under threat.
• Approximately 30,000 residents have been evacuated, with emergency shelters set up as the government declared a state of emergency in four counties.
• Over 6,700 firefighters and 140 helicopters are battling the fires, but strong winds, dry conditions, and equipment challenges have hindered containment efforts; rain is expected on March 27, offering potential relief.