Why have the wildfires in S Korea been so devastating?

The wildfires in South Korea have become a major disaster, marking the largest fires in the nation's history. As of Thursday, these fires have consumed an astonishing 35,810 hectares of land, which is roughly half the size of New York City. Tragically, 27 lives have been lost, and tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Authorities believe that the wildfires were ignited accidentally due to human activities, but the real culprits behind the devastation are the dry conditions and strong winds that have swept through the inland regions. The high concentration of pine forests in North Gyeongsang province is also exacerbating the situation. According to forest disaster expert Lee Byung-doo from the National Institute of Forest Science in Seoul, the resin found in pine trees acts like oil, intensifying the fires once they are ignited. This resin allows wildfires to burn faster, stronger, and for longer periods. Andong, one of the cities most affected by the fires, is known for its peaceful pine forests, which, while providing shelter and food for local wildlife, become problematic during wildfires. Mr. Lee pointed out that the abundance of pine trees in South Korea makes these areas particularly vulnerable when fires break out. Additionally, pine trees retain their needles throughout the winter, making them susceptible to crown fires, which spread by igniting the dense canopy of branches and leaves. This characteristic has significantly contributed to the rapid and extensive spread of the flames over the past week. Evacuating older residents has proven to be a challenge, as many have mobility issues. In Andong Hahoe Folk Village, a man was seen carrying an elderly woman to safety as they fled from the approaching wildfire. Unlike neighboring countries such as China and North Korea, South Korea has made progress in increasing its forest cover in recent years. However, this has led to an accumulation of fallen leaves and pine trees, which has become a significant factor in accelerating the spread of wildfires, according to Baek Min-ho, a disaster prevention specialist at Kangwon National University. Climate change is also playing a role in this crisis. South Korea's disaster chief, Lee Han-kyung, stated that the current wildfires highlight the harsh reality of a climate crisis that is unlike anything experienced before. The conditions for these record-breaking blazes have been developing over the past few weeks, with temperatures rising above 20 degrees Celsius, which is unusually high for spring. Research by Climate Central indicates that these high temperatures have become up to five times more likely due to global warming. The unusual heat has dried out the land and air, allowing fires to spread more rapidly, especially when combined with strong winds. The dense tree cover and strong winds in the affected region are also creating significant challenges for firefighting efforts. On Wednesday, a 73-year-old pilot tragically lost his life when his firefighting helicopter crashed in Uiseong county, and at least three other firefighters have died in the blazes. Most of the 26 fatalities reported are individuals in their 60s and 70s, as South Korea is an aging society where one in five people is at least 65 years old. North Gyeongsang is the second-oldest province in the country, which explains the relatively high death toll. Evacuating older individuals during a disaster is particularly difficult due to their mobility issues and other health risks. Many elderly residents may also struggle to understand or respond to evacuation orders. Recently, three residents of an elderly care facility in Yeongdeok county lost their lives when the vehicle they were in caught fire, with only one of the four occupants managing to escape in time. Acting President Han Duck-soo expressed concern over the high number of elderly victims and has ordered the interior minister to relocate to North Gyeongsang to oversee relief efforts. An Andong resident who evacuated but lost her home shared her experience, stating that her family and neighbors were caught off guard by the fires. She expressed her hope that the government would provide temporary shelters for those who have lost their homes. The wildfires have also destroyed historical relics, including treasures in two temples that are over 1,000 years old, representing a significant loss for an area considered one of South Korea's cultural centers.