'Overwhelming force' needed to tackle South Korean fires as climate change looms, says expert

Record ID: 1986964

  • Title: 'Overwhelming force' needed to tackle South Korean fires as climate change looms, says expert
  • Date: 28th March 2025
  • Summary: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (MARCH 28, 2025) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMISSIONER, NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL SERVICE, ROB ROGERS SAYING: "I've seen other countries where they've had difficulties, where they've used old Russian type equipment, and I think Greece has been in that position, also, where they've been reliant on Soviet era Russian equipment, and obviously that hasn't
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Lee Cheol-woo North Gyeongsang province Governor South Korea australia fire news conference rural fire service wildfires
  • Location: UISEONG, GIVEN AS UISEONG, ANDONG, CHEONGSONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA / SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
  • City: UISEONG, GIVEN AS UISEONG, ANDONG, CHEONGSONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA / SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
  • Country: Various
  • Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Fires
  • Reuters ID: LVA003228628032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An Australian fire expert said on Friday (March 28) that South Korea needs an "overwhelming force" comprising both paid fire services and volunteers to tackle its wildfires, as the country is currently battling its worst-ever blazes and as climate change looms.
    "There's no point just having aviation resources in summer. We're going to need them to have them ready all year round," said New South Wales Rural Service Commissioner Rob Rogers.
    The wildfires that originated in Uiseong have been moving rapidly eastward, spreading almost to the coast, carried by gusty winds and with dry conditions aggravating the situation.
    At least 28 people have been killed and historic temples incinerated as a result of the fires.
    Rogers also said countries at risk of wildfires need to prepare sufficient firefighting equipment – including vital helicopters – before blazes occur. “These aviation assets are really difficult things to get. There's more competition getting them, because there's more areas starting to see them," said Rogers.
    The Korea Forest Service has been facing technical issues with its fleet of 48 Russian helicopters. Eight have been out of operation since last year because sanctions related to the Ukraine war mean it cannot import parts, a Democratic Party lawmaker said in October.
    More than 120 helicopters have been deployed in three regions battling the blazes, South Korea's safety ministry said. South Korea relies on helicopters to fight forest fires because of its mountainous terrain. A helicopter pilot died on Wednesday (March 26) after crashing while trying to tackle a blaze.
    More than 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres) have been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires that began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history. The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in a March 2000 fire.
    (Production: Dogyun Kim, Hyunyoung Yi, Jill Gralow, Feline Lim)
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