Uiseong: Wildfires in the southeastern county of Uiseong continued to spread into nearby regions Tuesday due to strong winds and dry weather, burning down an ancient temple and forcing residents to evacuate.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, a historic temple built more than 1,000 years ago during the Silla Dynasty, was completely burned down at around 4:50 p.m., as reported by forest authorities. National treasures stored in the temple had been relocated to other locations in North Gyeongsang Province before the wildfires engulfed the region.
Authorities have mobilized 77 helicopters and more than 3,000 personnel to contain the fires, but the blazes continue to spread into the adjacent city of Andong and Cheongsong County, prompting local governments to issue evacuation orders to residents. Train services and highway traffic in the southeastern region were suspended as of Tuesday afternoon, state railway and highway operators said.