South Korea is struggling to contain the forest fires that devastate the southeast of the country after more than two dozen outbreaks occurred over the weekend, killing four people and forcing thousands to flee.
Until Sunday (23) at night, almost nine thousand firefighters, police and civil servants and 120 helicopters were sent to five areas to combat the fires.
On the morning of Monday (24), firefighters, who also face dry and suction cup conditions, extinguished almost all fires, leaving four outbreaks.
Four civil servants sent to combat the forest fire were killed, the Yonhap news agency said.
On the morning of Monday, the fire was not contained and had burned almost 15 km², said the Ministry of Interior Security.
Forest fires that broke out on Saturday (22) in Euiseong, province of Gyeongsang do Norte; ULJU area of the city of Ulsan; And Gimhae, Gyeongsang do Sul, remained active on Monday.
The fire in Euiseong was started by people who paid tribute in a tomb and had burned over 68 km² earlier this week, according to the report.
More than 2,740 people were forced out due to fires, most of which were in shelters on Monday morning. About 162 buildings were damaged by forest fires, including a temple in Euiseong.
On Saturday, the then interim prime minister Choi Sang-Mok ordered the forest service to “do everything possible” to remove residents and ensure the safety of workers who fight the fires, according to their office.
The government has declared a state of emergency to the city of Ulsan, provinces of Gyeongsang do Sul and North, on Saturday.
Forest fires are not uncommon in South Korea, particularly in February, March and April, when the conditions are drier.
This content was originally published in forest fires in South Korea kill 4 people and move thousands on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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