Exhausted firefighters in Gyeongju braced for a decisive final push on Monday to fully extinguish a wildfire that has scorched over 1,200 hectares of forested hillsides in South Korea's historic ancient capital. After five grueling days of battling flames fueled by dry winds and parched vegetation, officials reported that 90 percent of the blaze was under control, with aerial water drops and ground crews targeting persistent hotspots in the rugged terrain around Bomun Lake.
The fire, which erupted last Wednesday amid unusually dry winter conditions exacerbated by climate patterns, prompted the evacuation of nearly 5,000 residents from nearby villages and threatened several cultural heritage sites. Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage city boasting ancient tombs and temples from the Silla Kingdom, saw emergency measures to protect landmarks like the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, though no historical structures were damaged. Fire authorities deployed over 1,000 personnel, including elite teams from the national forest service, supported by helicopters and C-130 aircraft dumping retardant.
Commander Park Ji-hoon of the Gyeongju Fire Station hailed the progress as a testament to coordinated efforts but cautioned that smoldering embers could reignite without sustained vigilance. "We're entering the most critical phase—mopping up to ensure no flare-ups," he told reporters at the forward command post. Local meteorologists forecast calmer winds and light rain later in the week, offering hope for containment, though experts warn of ongoing drought risks in the region.
The blaze has drawn national attention, underscoring South Korea's vulnerability to wildfires amid rising temperatures and reduced winter snowfall. Environmental groups pointed to human factors, including discarded cigarette butts and unmanaged underbrush, as likely ignition sources, reigniting debates over forest management policies. As crews pushed forward, residents began tentative returns home, buoyed by the fading smoke but mindful of the long recovery ahead for scorched woodlands vital to Gyeongju's tourism-driven economy.
With the fire 95 percent contained by evening, authorities shifted focus to damage assessments and rebuilding support, including subsidies for affected farmers whose orchards suffered losses estimated at 20 billion won. This incident marks the largest wildfire in North Gyeongsang Province since 2019, prompting calls from lawmakers for bolstered early-warning systems and expanded firefighting drones to prevent future catastrophes in Korea's fire-prone southern hills.
