Heavy-lift firefighting helicopters roared into action over Gyeongju on Monday, unleashing torrents of water on a stubborn wildfire that has scorched hundreds of hectares in the historic heart of South Korea's ancient capital. The deployment marked a critical phase in the battle against the blaze, which ignited last Wednesday amid unseasonably dry winds and low humidity, threatening UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Bulguksa Temple and surrounding forests.
Ground crews, numbering over 1,000 firefighters and volunteers, have been toiling relentlessly since the fire's outbreak, but rising flames and rugged terrain prompted the urgent call for aerial support. Three helicopters from the Forestry Service, each capable of carrying 2,500 liters of water per sortie, conducted more than 50 drops by evening, significantly curbing the fire's advance. Officials reported that the aerial assault, combined with controlled backburning, has contained 80 percent of the perimeter, with full extinguishment now in sight.
Gyeongju, often called the "Museum Without Walls" for its trove of Silla Dynasty relics, faces a unique vulnerability from such disasters. The wildfire has already razed approximately 350 hectares of pine forests and grasslands, displacing wildlife and prompting evacuations from nearby villages. No human casualties have been recorded, but cultural preservation experts warn of potential smoke damage to irreplaceable artifacts, echoing concerns from similar blazes in 2022 that singed Gangneung's heritage zones.
President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration has mobilized additional resources, including military units for logistics, underscoring the national priority on safeguarding cultural assets amid escalating wildfire risks. Forestry Minister Lee Kwang-jae stated during a press briefing, "These helicopters represent our last line of defense; we will not let nature erase our history." Climate data points to a 30 percent rise in dry spells over the past decade, fueling debates on forest management and urban expansion into wildland interfaces.
As the sun sets on the smoke-hazed skyline, residents and officials alike breathe a tentative sigh of relief, though vigilance persists with forecasts of gusty winds. The Gyeongju incident serves as a stark reminder of South Korea's growing wildfire vulnerability, prompting calls for advanced drone surveillance and AI-driven prediction models to prevent future infernos from imperiling the nation's storied past.
