South Korea is experiencing its largest wildfire disaster to date as fiery infernos have ravaged over 33,000 hectares of land killing 27 people so far. The fires started in Uiseong County and due to very high winds and dry conditions, it spread quickly within a few hours to coastal regions.
One victim of the recent destruction because of the fire was the historic Gounsa Temple, an approximately 1,300 year old Buddhist temple that lost centuries old structures and relics.
Officials have sent in excess of 120 helicopters, firefighters and military assets to combat the fires and defend key cultural heritage locations most notably the Hahoe Folk Village which is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
However, the fires still present a risk to towns, structures and forests. Climate experts warn that higher temperatures and drier terrain caused by climate change spur the likelihood and intensity of wildfires.
Rain is in the forecast but it is unlikely to amount to a sufficient amount to subdue the flames and as a result South Korea is herbally oxidizing a critical fight to contain the situation.
