Yeongju-si, South Korea - March 26, 2025 Smoke is rising as far as Yeongju and Bonghwa in Gyeongbuk. X user Rolo posted on March 26, saying in Korean: “Every breath feels acrid, and my eyes sting. Even here it’s like this, so those in Andong, Uiseong, Cheongsong, and Yeongyang, please take care of your breathing and wear masks. I hope rain comes soon.” The forest fires in the Yeongnam region have burned for six days since efforts to put them out first failed. They have caused multiple deaths and are now the worst forest fires in the area’s history. Residents died as they could not escape the fast-moving flames. A helicopter crashed while fighting the fire, killing its pilot. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported on March 26 that 18 people died in Gyeongbuk’s Uiseong by 9 a.m. on the 22nd. With wildfires in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, the total death toll is 22. Strong southwest winds over 15 meters per second pushed the Uiseong fire eastward, raising the casualty count. Most victims were elderly, unable to flee as the fire spread from Andong to Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok. Over 23,000 people in North Gyeongsang Province have been evacuated. The fires have reached Hahoe Village in Andong, Byeongsan Seowon, and Juwangsan National Park, a World Heritage Site. In Gyeongsangnam-do, fires in Sancheong and Hadong have spread into Jirisan National Park. On the 25th, the main fire in Sancheong was nearly under control, 400 meters from Jirisan’s border, but it flared up again near Gugoksan Mountain by noon. This afternoon, a helicopter fighting the Uiseong fire crashed, killing its pilot. The 30-year-old aircraft’s age has raised concerns about equipment safety. Forest authorities paused all helicopter operations for two hours, slowing efforts to stop the fires.