Seoul, March 25
Wildfires in South Korea's southeastern county of Uiseong appear to be getting out of control due to unpredictable strong winds and extremely dry weather, government officials said on Tuesday, citing a gradual drop in the area's fire extinguishing rate.
The forest area affected by the wildfires in Uiseong, about 180 kilometres southeast of Seoul, increased by over 4,000 hectares (ha) overnight to 12,699 ha as of early Tuesday morning, despite all-out firefighting efforts by authorities.
According to the Korea Forest Service, Uiseong's fire extinguishing rate has moved backwards over the past day, dropping from 60 per cent on Monday evening to 54 per cent as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.
A combination of unpredictable strong winds and extremely dry weather is hampering firefighting efforts there, the officials said.
As the forest fire is protracted, the fatigue of firefighters appears to be building up, they said, noting a firefighter from the Sangju Fire Station was rushed to a hospital Monday afternoon after showing symptoms of dizziness and vomiting during a firefighting operation in Uiseong, news agency reported.
Authorities plan to mobilise 77 helicopters and 3,154 personnel to contain the wildfires in Uiseong, as the blaze has spread to the adjacent city of Andong.
Wildfires raging in southeastern South Korea over the past several days have burned 14,694 ha of woodland, caused 15 injuries, including four fatalities, and left more than 3,300 people displaced, the government said on Tuesday.