South Korea’s Inferno Tamed! Gyeongsang Wildfires Finally Contained

South Korea’s most devastating wildfires, which ravaged the Gyeongsang provinces for over a week, have been fully contained as of Friday, March 28, authorities announced.

The blazes, deemed the worst in the nation’s history by Acting President Han Duck-soo, scorched nearly 48,000 hectares—roughly 80% of Seoul’s size—killed at least 30 people, and displaced over 38,000 residents across North and South Gyeongsang and Ulsan.

The crisis began on March 21 in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang, sparked by a farmer’s lawnmower, and rapidly escalated as dry conditions and fierce winds fanned flames across the rugged terrain. By March 22, the Sancheong fire had consumed 1,200 acres, while a second major blaze erupted in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang, eventually burning 45,157 hectares alone.

Additional fires flared in Andong, Cheongsong, Gimhae, and Ulsan, overwhelming initial containment efforts despite 70% progress in some areas dropping back to 35% due to wind shifts.

A Herculean response mobilized 5,580 personnel, 86 helicopters, and 569 fire trucks, bolstered by military aviation fuel and U.S. support offers. Rain and cooler weather overnight Thursday into Friday aided firefighters, who achieved full containment in North Gyeongsang by 5 PM Friday—149 hours after Uiseong ignited—while South Gyeongsang reached 93% by 3 PM.

The toll was grim: 30 dead (20 from Uiseong, four from Sancheong), 37 injured (nine seriously), and 300+ structures razed, including the historic Gounsa Temple and 29 other heritage sites.

The government declared disaster zones, pledging 2.6 billion won ($177.4 million) in grants and 50 million won for Sancheong relief. Experts blame human error—like grave-tending fires—and climate-driven dryness, urging a wildfire strategy overhaul.

As embers cool, South Korea surveys a charred legacy, with recovery now the focus after a week of unrelenting flames.