South Korea fires latest: 27 killed and 1,000-year-old Buddhist temples destroyed in biggest wildfire on record

‘We are nationally in a critical situation’, says acting president as blaze doubles

South Korea: Raging Wildfire Threatens UNESCO Site in Andong

Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today, with authorities calling them the country’s worst fire disaster on record.

Since Friday, more than 35,810 hectares (88,488 acres) of land in the southeast has been scorched, the disaster response centre said. The fire that began in Uiseong county is now the biggest single forest fire in South Korea’s history, surpassing the 24,000-hectare blaze of March 2000.

At least 27 people were confirmed dead, including a pilot of a firefighting helicopter which crashed yesterday.

Hundreds of structures have been burnt or damaged, including historic 7th-century Buddhist temple that was reduced to ashes as the fire continued to expand.

“We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,” acting president Han Duck Soo said at a government response meeting.

The Uiseong fire spread rapidly on Wednesday, reaching Yeongdeok on the east coast, 51km away, in just 12 hours. While light rain is forecast in the southwest, most affected areas are expected to receive less than 5mm, offering little relief.

Key Points

• South Korea's wildfire doubles up in size, becomes the largest on record
• 'We are nationally in a critical situation,' says South Korea's acting president
• Death toll climbs to 27
• Ancient temple destroyed in South Korea's wildfires
• Wildfires threaten historic temples and UNESCO heritage sites

[27 March 2025 12:00 · Stuti Mishra]

Mapped: Key areas affected by burning wildfires in South Korea

[27 March 2025 13:00 · Stuti Mishra]

South Korea moves national treasures to safety as ‘worst wildfires in history’

Raging wildfires have forced South Korea to relocate 15 national treasures and cultural artefacts, including wooden printing blocks and Buddha paintings, from major temples in the North Gyeongsang province to safer locations.

The relocated items include a seated stone Buddha from the now-destroyed Goun temple in Uiseong.

The Korea Heritage Service confirmed that Yeongsu Hall and Gaunru Pavilion at the Goun temple were destroyed, leaving only nine of its 30 buildings intact. So far, 15 heritage pieces have been damaged, with the hardest-hit areas being Uiseong, Andong and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang.

[27 March 2025 13:32 · Sam Rkaina]

We’re pausing our live coverage of the South Korea fires but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.

[27 March 2025 14:00 · Stuti Mishra]

Some rainfall expected this week, forecasters say

South Koreans were expecting some rainfall today that may bring some relief to the rescue workers trying to extinguish the country's worst fire on record

Korea Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop said "a small amount" - less than 5 millimetres - of rain was expected in the area, but not enough to play a meaningful role in stopping the wildfires.

[27 March 2025 15:00 · Stuti Mishra]

Area half the size of Singapore burnt in South Korea's largest wildfires

The wildfires have carved a trail of devastation through an area equivalent to about half the area of Singapore, ravaging everything in their path including historic temples and homes in the mountainous forest regions of North Gyeongsang province.

The fires have burned 35,810 hectares (88,488 acres) of land in the southeast, the government's disaster response centre said in a report today.

The fires still continue to burn.