The wildfire that started in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, has been burning for four days.
It was confirmed that the fire started accidentally when a visitor clearing a gravesite caused a fire. The visitor reported the fire to emergency services (119) immediately.
Despite the deployment of 3,154 firefighters and 77 helicopters, strong winds and dry weather have made firefighting efforts extremely difficult. A firefighting helicopter crashed, and in Yeongdeok County, some residents of a senior living facility tragically lost their lives when their vehicle exploded while evacuating.
The estimated affected area is 12,565 hectares (125.65 km²), approximately one-fifth the size of Seoul.
So far, 20 people have died due to the wildfire, and 23,000 people have been evacuated.
A total of 257 buildings have been destroyed, including cultural heritage sites such as Gowon Temple.
104 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools have closed, and some highways have been shut down.
