Forest fires that have been raging South Korea since the end of March 2025 have been classified as the most devastating in the country’s history. They have left a trail of destruction in the southeast, especially affecting the provinces of North and South Gyeongsang. Next, I present a detailed analysis of what is happening, the consequences, the impact in terms of lost lives, the most relevant headlines, the authorities’ statements on the causes, and a reflection on the overall impact this has had.
What’s happening in South Korea?
The fires began on Friday, March 21, 2025 in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, about 260 kilometres south-east of Seoul. Since then, they have spread rapidly to localities such as Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, Yeongdeok and Ulsan. Driven by strong dry winds and unusual drought, the flames have devastated more than 23,794 hectares of forest until 27 March, according to the Korea Forest Service, overcoming the previous record of 23,913 hectares burned in April 2000. In response, the government declared the state of national catastrophe and raised the alert at the highest level, mobilizing more than 10,000 firefighters, soldiers and police, along with hundreds of helicopters (although the latter were on the ground after a tragic accident on March 26).
Fire has progressed without control in several areas, with only 4% of the perimeter contained in Uiseong until March 26. However, by 27, 68% of containment was reported in some key areas such as Uiseong and Andong. The changing winds have made extinction difficult, reviving the spotlights that seemed to be controlled on Tuesday 25. Although light rains are forecast for Thursday 27, which offers a ray of hope, arid conditions continue, aggravated by a dry winter and climate change.
Consequences: Devastation and Dead
Mortal victims
Up to the latest updates on March 27:
- 27 confirmed deadaccording to the Central Headquarters of Countermeasures of Security and Disasters. Among them:
- 4 firefighters and officials caught by a sudden wind shift in Sancheong on Saturday 22.
- 1 pilot of a helicopter crashed on Wednesday 26 in Uiseong while fighting the flames.
- Local residents, some found in Andong (2), Cheongsong (3), Yeongyang (6) and Yeongdeok (7), according to El País. Most died from smoke inhalation or burns when they were trapped.
- 32 injuredincluding 6 graves, reported by the Ministry of the Interior. Injuries include burns, smoke poisoning and trauma.
The number of victims could continue to rise, as the authorities have indicated that the data are preliminary and there are areas of difficult access. Compared to historical fires, such as the one in 2000 (which did not report so many fatalities), this event stands out for its lethality, which is attributed to the speed it spread and the density of the affected areas.
Material and Environmental Damage
- More than 23,794 hectares burned, an area greater than many cities, equivalent to 0.24% of the national territory.
- 209 structures destroyedincluding houses, factories, schools and cultural property. The Gounsa temple, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist monument in Uiseong, was reduced to ashes, although some treasures, like a stone Buddha, were saved.
- At-risk heritage: UNESCO sites like Hahoe village and Byeongsan Seowon were just a few kilometres from the fire, with desperate efforts to protect them using retardants.
- 27,000 evacueesincluding elders and prisoners transferred from nearby prisons, which reflects logistical chaos.
Social and Economic Impact
- Closing infrastructure: Electricity cuts, interrupted telecommunications and blocked roads have isolated communities.
- Humanitarian crisis: Thousands of displaced persons face uncertainty, with crowded temporary shelters (e.g., the Sinsung Primary School gym in Andong).
- Economic costs: Although there are no official estimates yet, reconstruction and agricultural and tourist losses will be millionaires.
Highlights
Global media have captured the magnitude of the crisis with shocking headlines:
- El País (Spain): “At least 24 dead in the ‘small forest fires’ of history in South Korea” (March 26).
- ABC (Spain): “Let 27 be killed by forest fires in South Korea” (March 27).
- CNN: “A centennial Buddhist temple is destroyed while forest fires in South Korea leave at least 19 dead” (26 March).
- Reuters: “South Korea is grappling with one of its worst forest fires in decades, with at least 18 dead” (26 March).
- Euronews: “Dozens dead and thousands evacuated in ‘unprecedented’ South Korea wildfires” (March 26).
- BBC: “South Korea wildfires: Death toll rises as blazes threaten heritage sites” (no exact date, but reflects recent coverage).
These headlines underline the historical scale, victims and cultural threat, amplifying the narrative of an unprecedented tragedy.
What Do Authorities Say About the Causes?
The current president, Han Duck-soo, has described the fires as “the most devastating” and “unprecedented” in the country’s history, according to a televised speech on March 26. He did not point out a specific culprit, but the authorities have offered clues:
- Suspectful human causes: The Ministry of the Interior and the Forest Service have pointed out that several of the initial fire foci could be the result of negligence, such as the use of fire to clean family graves, a traditional practice that takes place in spring, or even sparks generated by activities such as welding. In publications in X, such as @RadarAustral_, it is mentioned that “more than 70% of the fires are caused by negligence,” although this percentage has not yet been officially confirmed.
- Climate conditions: Han Duck-soo and experts like Yeh Sang-Wook (Hanyang University) point to climate change as a key indirect factor. Precipitations below the average and dry winds have created a “polvorin”. In 2025, 244 forest fires were reported until March, 2.4 times more than the previous year, according to Han.
- Without Evidence of Intention: There is no indication that the fires were deliberately provoked by a person or group; the official narrative is inclined to accidental causes aggravated by the weather.
The Forest Service raised the alert to “grave” on March 25, restricting access to forests and suspending military exercises with real fire, reflecting a more than accusatory preventive response.
Human and Social Devastation
The loss of 27 lives is a devastating blow, especially because it includes local heroes—bombers and officials—who gave their lives in fulfilling their duty. The pilot’s death highlights the extreme risks facing emergency teams. The stories of trapped residents, such as those reported in Yeongyang and Yeongdeok, remind us of similar tragedies in California or Australia, where fire speed exceeds any preparation. The 27,000 evacuees are dealing with collective trauma, with entire communities rooted and a future full of uncertainty.
Environmental and Cultural Impact
The burning of more than 23,794 hectares not only releases huge amounts of CO2, which aggravates climate change, but also takes root in essential ecosystems. The loss of the Gounsa temple is an irreparable blow to Korean cultural identity, something that can be compared to the devastation of Notre-Dame in 2019, although on a smaller global scale. The threat to UNESCO sites such as Hahoe reveals the vulnerability of natural disasters that are intensifying.
Response and Challenges
The mobilization of 10,000 troops and 130 helicopters before the accident is a monumental effort, but the helicopter crash and air suspension highlight the limitations we face in extreme conditions. As Han mentioned, traditional methods of extinction are not enough to deal with unpredictable winds and mountainous terrain. Hope is set in the rains of 27, but the drought that persists suggests that this will not be the last event of this magnitude.
Reflection: Guilty or Climate Victims?
The mix of human neglect and climate change leads us to think that we all share responsibility. Although the authorities do not point to a single person, the habit of using fire in spring might require stricter regulation. On the other hand, the climate context—with droughts and winds intensified by global warming—indicates that South Korea, like other countries, is the victim of a broader and systemic problem. Compare this to the fires in Los Angeles (January 2025) or Japan reinforces this trend that we are seeing globally.
Conclusion
Forest fires in South Korea in March 2025 are an unprecedented tragedy, both because of its magnitude and its devastating impact on people’s culture and life. With 27 lost lives, thousands of hectares consumed and entire displaced communities, the country faces a tough test of its resilience. The authorities have indicated that the causes are primarily human and accidental, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. There is no clear “villain” in this story, but the message is undeniable: climate change is altering the natural risks we face. Although the international media are amplifying the crisis, the real challenge will be how the country will recover in the long term. What do you think about it? Do you think this will change the way South Korea handles disasters in the future?
