South Korea Wildfires: A Nation Engulfed in Historic Flames

By Noma Grant

Since March 21, 2025, South Korea has been battling an unprecedented wildfire outbreak that has claimed at least 31 lives, displaced over 37,000 people, and scorched more than 48,000 hectares (118,610 acres) of land—an area roughly 80% the size of Seoul. Described by Acting President Han Duck-soo as the worst in the nation’s history, these fires have not only devastated communities but also obliterated cultural heritage, with 30 historic sites, including centuries-old Buddhist temples, reduced to ashes. As the country grapples with the aftermath, questions arise about the role of climate change, human error, and systemic preparedness in fuelling this catastrophe.

A Rapid and Relentless Spread

The crisis began in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, on March 21, when a brush cutter on a farm sparked the initial blaze. By the next evening, it had consumed 1,200 acres (490 hectares), but this was just the beginning. Over 20 simultaneous fires erupted across central and southern South Korea, with the most significant inferno raging in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. Fueled by ultra-dry conditions, strong winds, and dense pine forests, the flames spread at an alarming rate, reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok—50 km (30 miles) from Uiseong—in just 12 hours. By late March, the Uiseong fire alone had charred 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres), making it the largest single forest fire in South Korea’s history, surpassing the 2000 blaze that burned 59,000 acres.

The Korea Forest Service issued its highest "severe" fire warning nationwide, a first in the country’s history. Winds reaching typhoon-level speeds exacerbated the situation, hindering firefighting efforts and spreading embers to new areas. On March 24, a fire damaged the Seosan–Yeongdeok Expressway Jeomgok Rest Stop, while another blaze in Andong’s Hyeonha-ri mountains forced the closure of highways and rail lines. By March 27, the fires had doubled in size within a day, burning through 88,960 acres and leaving entire villages in ruins.

A Heavy Toll on Lives and Heritage

The human cost has been staggering. As of April 6, 2025, the death toll stands at 31, with 51 others injured, nine seriously. Most victims were elderly, in their 60s and 70s, many unable to evacuate quickly. In Uiseong, 20 people perished, while four died in Sancheong. Among the casualties were three firefighters and one government employee killed while battling the Sancheong blaze, and a helicopter pilot who died in a crash on March 26 in Uiseong. The pilot, aged 73, was operating a helicopter carrying 1,200 liters of water when it went down in mountainous terrain, leading to a temporary grounding of the fleet. In Yeongyang, the chief of Samui-ri village, his wife, and two relatives died when their car was engulfed during evacuation.

The cultural losses are equally devastating. The Korea Heritage Service reported damage to 30 heritage sites, including the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, built in 681, which was reduced to ashes along with its presiding monk at Beopseongsa Temple in Yeongyang. Other losses include the Goryeo-era Dubangjae Shrine, a 900-year-old ginkgo tree in Hadong, and the Joseon-era Mansae Pavilion in Cheongsong. The fires also threatened UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Confucian Academy in Andong, though firefighters managed to protect them by deploying water and fire retardants. The National Institute of Forest Science estimates that structural ecosystem recovery could take over 30 years, with full stabilization requiring more than a century.

Human Error and Climate Change: A Deadly Combination

Investigations revealed that human negligence played a significant role in igniting the fires. The Sancheong-Hadong blaze was traced to a brush cutter, while the Uiseong fire, which caused the most destruction, was allegedly sparked by a 56-year-old man tending to his grandparents’ graves. He reportedly used a lighter to burn branches, and the flames, fanned by strong winds, spiraled out of control. Police have booked him for investigation but have not detained him, pending a month-long on-site probe. Other fires were linked to careless acts, such as a graveyard keeper in Gimhae burning a bag of chips and sparks from welding in Hamyang and Ulju.

However, experts argue that human error is only part of the story. South Korea’s disaster chief, Lee Han-kyung, pointed to the “harsh reality” of the climate crisis, noting that the region had seen only half its average rainfall this season, following the country’s hottest year on record in 2024, with an average temperature of 14.5°C—two degrees above the 30-year average. Yeh Sang-Wook, a climatology professor at Hanyang University, explained that the lack of rainfall dried out the land, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. Unseasonably warm spring temperatures, reaching over 20°C (68°F), further desiccated the landscape. Climate Central’s analysis suggests these high temperatures were made up to five times more likely by global warming, which has extended the wildfire season globally by about two weeks on average.

The region’s dense pine forests, while a natural asset, became a liability. Lee Byung-doo from the National Institute of Forest Science noted that pine trees, rich in flammable resin, act like “oil” during fires, enabling rapid crown fires that spread through the canopy. South Korea’s forest cover, which has increased in recent decades, also means more fallen leaves and pine needles, accelerating fire spread. Baek Min-ho, a disaster prevention specialist at Kangwon National University, highlighted how this accumulation, combined with dry conditions, turned the landscape into a tinderbox.

A Nation Mobilizes, but Challenges Persist

South Korea mounted a massive response, deploying nearly 1,600 personnel, 35 helicopters, and numerous ground vehicles in the early days, with numbers swelling to over 9,000 firefighters, 5,000 military personnel, and 120 helicopters by late March. The U.S. military, stationed in South Korea, provided support, releasing aviation fuel for firefighting helicopters. The government designated North and South Gyeongsang provinces and Ulsan as disaster zones, unlocking emergency resources, including a 2.6 billion won (US$177.4 million) grant and 50 million won in relief funds for Sancheong residents.

Despite these efforts, challenges abounded. The mountainous terrain, a hallmark of South Korea’s landscape, made ground operations difficult, forcing reliance on helicopters—until the fatal crash in Uiseong exposed vulnerabilities in the fleet. The Korea Forest Service has faced criticism for its aging equipment, with eight of its 48 Russian helicopters out of service due to sanctions-related parts shortages. Strong winds repeatedly grounded aerial operations, and while a brief rain on March 27 brought some relief, the 1 mm of precipitation was insufficient to extinguish the main fires, though it helped containment efforts. By March 28, the main blazes in five regions were under control, allowing focus to shift to smaller fires.

A Wake-Up Call for South Korea

The wildfires have exposed systemic gaps in South Korea’s disaster preparedness. Historically, wildfires have been rare in the country, but 2025 has seen 244 incidents—2.4 times more than the same period last year—indicating a troubling trend. Acting President Han Duck-soo pledged financial support for displaced residents and vowed to strengthen enforcement against illegal burning, a leading cause of wildfires. However, experts like Lee Byung-doo argue for more proactive measures, including increased resources and manpower to handle large-scale fires, which are likely to become more frequent as climate change intensifies.

The fires also highlight the tension between cultural practices and environmental risks. Grave-tending, a deeply rooted tradition in South Korea, often involves burning debris, a practice that proved catastrophic in Uiseong. Public education on fire safety, especially in rural areas with aging populations, could mitigate such risks, but it requires balancing tradition with modern realities.

Looking Ahead

As South Korea begins the long road to recovery, the scars of the 2025 wildfires will linger. Entire villages, like those in Andong and Yeongyang, have been reduced to ash, leaving residents—many elderly—with nowhere to go. The loss of cultural treasures, from the Gounsa Temple to the Dubangjae Shrine, is a blow to the nation’s heritage. Meanwhile, a new fire in Hadong County on April 7, just 3 km from the Sancheong blaze, underscores the ongoing threat, with 47.5 hectares already affected and nearby villages evacuated.

These wildfires are a stark reminder of the climate crisis’s tangible impacts—drier conditions, hotter temperatures, and more extreme weather are no longer abstract threats but immediate dangers. South Korea must now confront these challenges head-on, rethinking its approach to forest management, disaster response, and climate adaptation. If not, the “unprecedented” devastation of 2025 may become a grim new normal.

Noma Grant is a freelance journalist and writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at noma.grant@veritasexpositae.com