UISEONG COUNTY, South Korea — The death toll from the wildfires sweeping across South Korea’s southeastern region has risen to 24, while a firefighting helicopter pilot lost his life when his aircraft crashed on Wednesday, March 26. The country is facing some of its most severe wildfires in decades. The fires, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, have spread rapidly, forcing over 27,000 residents to evacuate. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools have been shut down, and authorities have relocated hundreds of inmates from prisons, the government reported.

Acting President Han Duck-soo stated that all available resources were being mobilized to combat the fires, describing the situation as dire. He also noted that the US military stationed in Korea was assisting in the response efforts. According to the Korea Forest Service, 24 fatalities have been confirmed. While specific details were not provided, the Safety Ministry previously reported that 14 people had died in Uiseong County, and four others lost their lives in a fire in Sancheong County. Many of the victims were elderly, in their 60s and 70s, said local police official Son Chang-ho.

The Forest Service also confirmed that a firefighting helicopter crashed while attempting to put out the flames, resulting in the pilot’s death. South Korea relies heavily on helicopters to battle forest fires due to its mountainous landscape. Following the crash, the helicopter fleet was temporarily grounded. The Uiseong fire, which remains only 68% contained, has been intensified by strong winds. Lee Byung-doo, a forest disaster expert at the National Institute of Forest Science, described the fire’s scale and speed as "unimaginable." He warned that climate change is expected to increase the frequency of large-scale wildfires, citing recent blazes in Los Angeles and northeastern Japan.

South Korea's firefighting capabilities have been affected by technical issues with its fleet of 48 Russian helicopters. Due to sanctions related to the Ukraine war, the country has been unable to import necessary parts, leaving eight helicopters out of service since last year, according to a Democratic Party lawmaker. Eyewitnesses reported that the crashed helicopter emitted unusual sounds before plummeting to the ground. Kim Jin-han, 63, described seeing the aircraft explode on impact, leaving wreckage scattered across a hillside. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

The weather agency predicts rainfall across South Korea on Thursday, but only five to ten millimeters is expected in the affected areas. More than 10,000 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military units, were deployed on Wednesday to battle fires in four different areas. The Safety Ministry reported that 87 helicopters were being used in firefighting efforts. In response to criticism about insufficient resources, Forest Service spokesperson Kim Jong-gun announced plans to secure additional firefighting helicopters.

Since the fires ignited on Saturday, they have threatened several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Confucian Academy in Andong City. Authorities have been using fire retardants to protect these landmarks. However, Goun Temple, built in 681, has already been destroyed. The government has declared the affected regions as special disaster zones and confirmed that more than 15,000 hectares have been burned.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.