Seoul: The government on Monday designated the southeastern counties of Ulju, Uiseong, and Hadong, which have been ravaged by wildfires, as special disaster zones amid ongoing efforts to extinguish the fires. This decision follows the earlier designation of Sancheong County as a special disaster zone on Saturday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, areas designated as special disaster zones are eligible for comprehensive government support measures. The latest designations come as the government anticipates significant damage compounded by strong winds. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to mitigate the devastation caused by the wildfires that have persisted for four consecutive days in the region.

In Sancheong County, authorities have made substantial progress, extinguishing 85 percent of the blaze by 6 p.m. This was achieved through the deployment of 36 helicopters, 2,424 personnel, and 252 vehicles. The fire in Sancheong has affected approximately 1,553 hectares of land, resulting in the loss of four lives, injuries to eight individuals, and the evacuation of 1,143 residents.

In Uiseong County, efforts to control the blaze have been hampered by strong winds reaching up to 15 meters per second. As of 6 p.m., only 60 percent of the fire had been contained, a decrease from 71 percent containment reported at noon. The fire has impacted 8,490 hectares of land and forced the evacuation of 909 people. The situation escalated later in the day as the blaze spread to the nearby city of Andong, prompting authorities to mobilize the national firefighting system.

In Ulju County, firefighting teams have managed to extinguish 83 percent of the blaze by 6 p.m. However, strong winds of up to 8 meters per second have made it challenging to fully control the main fire. Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized the priority of ensuring the safety of those fighting the fires and addressing the needs of individuals who have lost their homes. He pledged full support for recovery efforts once the wildfires are brought under control.