SEOUL: In a devastating turn of events, wildfires in South Korea's southeastern region have led to the tragic loss of at least 18 lives.

The fires, declared as some of the worst the nation has faced in decades, have prompted a massive response from thousands of firefighters and military personnel striving to bring the blazes under control.

As reported by the government, more than 27,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as the wildfires, exacerbated by strong winds and ongoing dry weather, have razed entire neighborhoods.

The situation is dire, with schools shuttered and hundreds of inmates relocated from prisons to safety.

"The deployment of all available personnel and equipment is underway," stated Acting President Han Duck-soo, who also noted assistance from the United States military in addressing this urgent crisis.

As of early Wednesday morning, reports indicated that the Uiseong wildfire accounting for 14 of the fatalities, while another four deaths were reported in relation to a fire in Sancheong county.

The victims predominantly belong to the elderly demographic, with many in their 60s and 70s, as confirmed by local authorities.

The Uiseong fire, which remains only 68% contained, has been described as showing "unimaginable" scale and speed,

highlighting the alarming nature of the situation according to Lee Byung-doo, a forest disaster expert at the National Institute of Forest Science.

Dry conditions are expected to persist in the affected areas, intensifying the challenges for firefighting efforts.

Experts warn that climate change is likely to lead to more frequent and severe wildfires in the future.

Lee emphasized the necessity of preparing additional resources and manpower, drawing parallels between this crisis and similar wildfires experienced in places like Los Angeles and Japan.

A crucial challenge continues to be the mountainous terrain of South Korea, which makes reliance on helicopters for firefighting essential.

However, issues have arisen due to sanctions against Russia, resulting in eight firefighting helicopters from the Korea Forest Service being out of operation as parts could not be imported.

Kim Jong-gun, a spokesperson for the service, assured that the agency is looking to procure more firefighting helicopters in response to equipment shortages.

On the ground, 4,919 firefighting personnel, including police and military units, have been deployed, utilizing 87 helicopters in an effort to combat the flames.

Ancient temples and homes have suffered extensive damage, with historic landmarks at risk.

The Uiseong fires are now threatening several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy, prompting authorities to spray fire retardants to protect these critical sites.

As the fires raged on, historical structures like Gounsa Temple, established in the year 681, have been tragically destroyed.

With over 15,000 hectares affected, the government has designated the areas impacted by the wildfires as special disaster zones.

As South Korea grapples with this crisis, the pressing question remains: How can the nation better prepare for the increasing threat of wildfires in a changing climate?

Only time will tell whether the lessons learned from this tragedy will prompt the necessary changes to prevent future disasters.