The worst wildfires in South Korean history.

The wildfires have burned approximately 36,000 hectares, becoming the worst fire in the country's history, far surpassing the 23,794 hectares burned in the eastern coastal forest fires of 2000, according to Yonhap. Around 37,000 people have been displaced, mostly in the Uiseong and Andong areas of North Gyeongsang Province. Some areas in Andong experienced two-day water outages, prompting authorities to provide emergency water and assistance. In addition, nearly 2,500 homes lost power.

Firefighters battle a blaze at a farm in the Useong area on March 27.

Acting President Han Duck-soo instructed Acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong to remain in North Gyeongsang Province to oversee relief efforts until the fire is under control. "It is worrying that many of the victims are elderly, including patients in nursing homes," Han said. Firefighters are using helicopters and fire trucks to contain the spreading blaze, after a forest fire broke out on March 21 in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, and spread to neighboring areas.

South Korea: Wildfires destroy ancient temple, prison evacuated.

A special committee of the ruling People Power Party on March 27 called on the government to designate more special disaster zones to strengthen wildfire response and support affected residents. Representative Lee Man-hee, chair of the committee, urged the government to use the special disaster relief fund, estimated at 500 billion won (8.727 trillion VND), to quickly assist the affected areas. Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited the affected area in North Gyeongsang Province yesterday and pledged to "do everything possible in parliament " to strengthen relief efforts for the victims.

Regarding the forest fires in Japan, The Japan Times reported on March 27th that fires in Ehime and Okayama prefectures have burned more than 900 hectares after breaking out on March 23rd. More than 3,800 households in Ehime and nearly 1,100 households in Okayama have been ordered to evacuate. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has been mobilized to fight the fires alongside firefighters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chay-rung-toi-te-nhat-lich-su-han-quoc-185250327223732383.htm