Strong winds, thick forests and unusually dry weather – it is a deadly combination that experts say to encourage the greatest fires in South Korea’s history.
Inferno in the southeast burned through 35,810 hectares (88,500 hectares) from Thursday – this is about half the size of New York – killing 27 people so far and moving tens of thousands.
Authorities believe that the fires have started by accident from human activity, but the main drivers of destruction are dry land and powerful runs that break over the internal regions.
The high concentration of pine forests in the Province of Northern Gyeongsang, where fires mountain, is also “oil” flames, said forest disaster expert.
Vulnerable pine forests
“Pines containing a resin that acts like oil, intensifies fires when it comes to light. This resin causes the wildlife to burn faster, stronger and longer,” said Lee Byung-Doo of the National Forest Science Institute in Seoul.
Andong, one of the worst -affected cities, is known for his calm pine forests.
Although they provide refuge and food for local wild animals and sometimes help to break the wind, pine trees “become problematic during wild fires,” Mr. Lee told the BBC.
“Because the forests [in South Korea] They contain a large number of pines, areas are especially vulnerable when fires break out, “he said.
Furthermore, pine trees retain their needles during the winter, making them sensitive to “crown fires” – wildlife that spread through the burning of a thick canopy branch and leaves. This has contributed to the rapid and extensive spread of flames over the past week.
Unlike neighboring countries such as China and North Korea, South Korea has achieved gain in forest covers in recent years.
“Most mountains are now filled with fallen leaves and pines … This accumulation has become a significant factor in accelerating the expansion of fire,” says Baek Min-ho, a specialist in disaster prevention at the Kangwon National University.
Climate changes are also guilty, experts say.
“This fire once again exposed the sharp reality of the climate crisis, unlike everything we experienced before,” the head of South Korea’s disaster said on Thursday.
The ideal environment for these record flames has been built in the last few weeks, which is why temperatures have risen above 20 ° C (68F), unusually high for spring. The analysis by the Climate Central, which explores climate science, suggests that these high temperatures are up to five times more likely to be more likely global heating.
The unusual heat dried the earth and the air, allowing fires to spread faster, especially in combination with strong winds.
The dense cover of trees and strong winds in the fire region also represent significant challenges for efforts in firefighters.
On Wednesday, a 73-year-old pilot died when his firefighter helicopter crashed in Uiseong County. At least three firefighters were killed in blouses.
Older residents in the second oldest province
Most of the 26 people who died are in the 60s and 70s, officials say. South Korea is an aging company, where one of five people are at least 65 years old.
The northern Gyeongsang is his second oldest province, which also explains a relatively high mortal mortal value – it is especially difficult to evacuate older people in disaster because they can have problems with mobility or other health risks.
They can also have more difficulty approaching or interpreting an evacuation order.
Three residents of the older institution in Yeongdeok District died on Wednesday, when the car they were on fire. Only one of four in the vehicle managed to escape on time, Korean Joontang Daily reported.
The acting chairman Han Duck-Soo said on Thursday that he was “worrying” that many victims were older because he ordered the interior minister to move to North Gyeongsang to oversee the efforts to help.
The resident of Andong who evacuated, but lost her home, she told her family and their neighbors caught a fire.
“No one in the village was prepared,” said a woman who asked her not to name him.
“We had to go without anything, and all our things disappear. Many of the inhabitants are older, so I hope that the Government will provide temporary shelters where people can stay comfortable,” she said.
Historical relics are also burned to the ground – a significant loss in an area considered to be the cultural centers of South Korea.
They include treasures in two temples, every 1,000 years. One of them, the gouns temple, dates from the Silla dynasty (57BC to 935ad).
Additional reporting Rachel Lee and Jake Kwon in Seoul
