Uncontrollable Wildfires in South Korea Consume About 15,000 Hectares

Muscat: South Korean government officials today announced that a wildfire in the southeastern town of Uiseong appears to be out of control due to unexpectedly strong winds and extremely dry weather, and noted a gradual decline in the containment rate of fires in the area. According to Oman News Agency, the Korean government reported that wildfires swept through the southeast of the country over the past few days have destroyed 14,694 hectares, injured 15 people, including four deaths, and displaced more than 3,300 from their homes. Yonhap News Agency quoted Acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong as saying that firefighting efforts are being hampered by strong winds, dry weather, and difficult environmental conditions. The acting minister added that as of this morning, 88% of the fires in those areas had been contained, stressing that the government would continue to make every effort to prevent the fires from spreading to residential areas. He noted that there have been 234 wildfires across South Korea this year, most of which were caused by accidental fires caused by visitors or the burning of agricultural waste and garbage.