Firefighters and other rescue officials are still battling wildfires in parts of Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, which have been raging since last Friday.
Fanned by strong gusts and dry weather, with even a small lingering ember igniting further flames, the fires continue to spread to nearby areas such as Andong and Ulsan.
These affected provincial areas were designated as special disaster zones to assist victims with loans and other relief subsidies.
"We deployed all available resources including over 6,700 personnel and 110 helicopters in an all-out effort to contain the blaze and prevent further spread," said Ko Ki-dong, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
Although rainfall is expected nationwide on Thursday, a trickle of about 5 mm may not be enough to provide much-needed relief in dousing the wildfires and alleviating the dry conditions.
Meanwhile, authorities say that forest fires often occur during the spring season, as people flock to the mountains to see flowers or visit ancestral graves, which seems to have caused more fires.
Arsonists and others responsible for fires can face up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won ($22,600).
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments