South Korea Mobilize Helicopters, Troops to Battle Wildfire

South Korea has deployed dozens of helicopters, firefighters, and soldiers to combat multiple wildfires raging across the country’s southeastern regions. The blazes, which have been burning for days, have claimed at least four lives, with officials warning that high winds and rising temperatures are complicating containment efforts.

Head of the Korea Forest Service, Lim Sang-seop, disclosed during a press briefing on Monday that nearly 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of land in Uiseong had been affected, forcing the evacuation of around 600 residents. He confirmed that 57 firefighting helicopters and more than 2,600 emergency personnel, including military troops, had been mobilized to tackle the infernos.

As of Monday afternoon, authorities reported that some progress had been made in containing the fires, but they continued to spread in certain areas. One of the most devastating wildfires over the weekend occurred in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Seoul, resulting in multiple fatalities.

In response to the escalating crisis, the government has declared a state of emergency in the affected regions. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was reinstated as acting president earlier on Monday, visited the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, where he urged authorities to maintain full coordination until the fires are completely extinguished.

Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting teams work around the clock to prevent further destruction. The government has also issued evacuation alerts in high-risk areas, cautioning residents to stay vigilant as strong winds could lead to the fires spreading unpredictably.