Seoul, South Korea – On Saturday, at least two firefighters died and hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in South Korea, since emergency workers fought to contain more than 30 forest fires fed by dry winds.
The largest fires were in the southeast regions, including the rural county of Sancheong, where 260 people fled to a temporary shelter when the flames extended through the surrounding hills, according to the provincial government of southern Gyeongsang.
Two firefighters were found dead, while another firefighter and a government worker remain missing after being trapped by flames of rapid movement driven by strong winds in the area. Rescuers took out five emergency workers, who are now receiving treatment for their injuries, said the provincial government.
The Korean forest service said that the Sancheong forest fire had burned more than 500 hectares (1,200 acres) until Saturday night. Almost 1,600 emergency workers, 35 helicopters and dozen vehicles were deployed, but only 35% of the fire was contained due to the mountainous terrain of the area and strong winds.
More than 400 people evacuated their houses in Uiseong County in the province of Northern Gyeongsang while firefighters continued to fight a fire that until now burned 300 hectares (740 acres), according to the forest service, while dozens of residents also fled their homes in the city of Gimhae. The fires also forced the closures of several road sections in the southeast of the country, including one that connects Ulsan and Busan, the second largest city in South Korea.
The National Government appointed the provinces of Gyeongsang of the North and South and the southeast city of Ulsan as disaster areas, and the interim president of the country, Choi Sang-Mok, promised a total response to the extinction of the flames.
Forest fires were also reported in the provinces of the center of Chungcheong and the southwest of Jeolla.
