Wildfires have continued nationwide for five days, causing increasing damage. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 25th that the estimated area affected by the wildfires is 14,694 hectares, which is 24% of the area of Seoul (60,520 hectares).
On that day, Director Ko Gi-dong said, "There have been 15 casualties due to the wildfires (4 deaths, 5 serious injuries, 6 minor injuries)," and noted, "More than 3,300 residents are staying in temporary shelters." A total of 152 buildings, including dwellings, warehouses, temples, and factories, have been damaged by the wildfires. Relevant departments have been controlling both directions of the Seosan-Yeongdeok Highway from the Northern Uiseong IC to the Yeongdeok Tollgate since the previous day.
Starting from Sancheong and Hadong in Gyeongnam on the 21st, wildfires occurred on the 22nd in Uiseong and Ulju in Gyeongbuk, and in Gimhae in Gyeongnam, with fires spreading to Okcheon in Chungbuk on the 23rd. The day before, the wildfire in Uiseong spread to Andong. As of 7 a.m. that day, the average firefighting rate for wildfires nationwide is 88%. By region, Sancheong and Hadong (88%), Uiseong (55%), Ulju (98%), and Gimhae (99%) have been reported. The fire in Okcheon has been extinguished.
The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities are deploying more than 6,700 personnel and 110 helicopters, along with equipment, to carry out firefighting efforts at wildfire sites across the nation. However, due to the vast area affected by the fires, coupled with dry weather and strong winds, containment has been difficult. The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecasted that rain will arrive on the 27th. The wildfire region is experiencing dry conditions, making it easy for raindrops to evaporate.