Meteorological Factors Driving Korea’s Wildfire Surge: A Closer Look
March 28, 2025
March 21st, one of the biggest wildfires in Korean history started in the Gyeongbuk region, burning 88,500 acres as of the 27th. This fire has killed 28 people and displaced tens and thousands of people away from their houses as the wildfire burned all nearby buildings and houses.
What caused the fire to grow so much?
As the severe wildfire grew, experts attribute the rapid spread of these fires to a combination of environmental factors, with a key role played by unusually high temperatures, strong winds, and the presence of pine forests that are highly susceptible to fire. It has been reported that the pre-wildfire temperatures ranged from 25 to 26 degrees Celsius, which is notably higher than in previous years. "In this wildfire, the westerly winds exhibited unprecedented speed and intensity compared to previous occurrences," Professor Baek Min-ho (Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Kangwon National University) noted, adding, "The accelerating impact of climate change and shifting environmental conditions are increasingly complicating efforts to implement effective wildfire prevention strategies". Higher climates increase evaporation which exacerbates the dryness in mountain ecosystems, especially during periods of light or precipitation which Korea was in. This likely led to extreme dryness in the mountains, and with strong winds, contributed to the fire's rapid spread. This lack of moisture in the mountains made it easier for fires to ignite and spread quickly. Pine trees, which are abundant in the affected regions, are especially prone to fires due to their resinous nature. When these trees dry out, they become highly flammable, providing fuel for the flames. In addition to the dry conditions, strong westerly winds further exacerbated the situation. These winds, which were notably stronger than in previous years, acted like a bellows, fanning the flames and allowing the fire to move rapidly across vast areas. Experts also point to the broader impacts of climate change, which has led to more extreme weather events, including hotter temperatures and stronger winds. These shifts in environmental conditions are making it increasingly difficult to predict and prevent forest fires. Despite efforts to improve fire management strategies, the changing climate poses a significant challenge in protecting vulnerable forests and communities from future fires.
As South Korea grapples with this devastating wildfire, the situation highlights the broader implications of climate change on natural disasters. Without significant intervention and adaptation measures, such extreme weather-driven disasters may become more frequent, threatening both ecosystems and human settlements alike.