Wildfires are spreading across South Korea’s east coast as severe drought conditions persist, with strong winds threatening to intensify the flames in North and South Gyeongsang provinces and surrounding areas. With little relief expected before March 27, when nationwide rainfall is forecast, the next three days will be a critical period for wildfire containment.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has issued dry weather alerts across the country, including North Gyeongsang, Gangwon, North and South Chungcheong, and Jeju. Gyeongsan, Yeongdeok, Uljin, Pohang, and Gyeongju, as well as Daegu, remain under the highest-level dry weather warnings, while other areas face advisories. These alerts are based on “effective humidity,” which indicates how dry vegetation is. Levels below 50% heighten fire risks, with advisories issued below 35% and warnings below 25%, signaling conditions highly prone to wildfires.
Spring westerly winds, which grow hotter and drier as they cross the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges, have further intensified the wildfire threat. A low-pressure system to the north and a high-pressure system to the south are acting like a giant hairdryer, further drying out the east coast and worsening fire conditions.
In Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, where wildfires have already broken out, effective humidity stood at just 35% on March 23. On March 24, winds are expected to reach 20 meters per second (45 mph), exceeding the 15 m/s threshold that can shake street signs and nearing typhoon-force gusts of 17 m/s. Other vulnerable areas, including Pohang (29%), Gyeongju (32%), Ulsan (28%), and Samcheok (34%), are also expected to experience strong winds, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread.
Signs of a severe fire season emerged in late 2024. Between December 13 and late January, Gangwon, Uljin, Yeongdeok, and Pohang were under continuous dry weather alerts for 43 days as cold, dry continental winds from the north grew even drier while crossing the mountains.
The situation worsened as winter snowfall patterns failed to replenish moisture levels. In January, a major snowstorm was expected to bring relief, but most of the snow fell west of the Taebaek Mountains, leaving the east coast largely parched. Dry weather alerts were reissued for Gangwon and the Gyeongsang provinces just a week later on January 31.
Throughout winter and early spring, most snowfall has been concentrated on the west, as cold northern air passing over the warm West Sea (Yellow Sea) generated storm clouds that primarily affected inland and western regions. Gangwon saw some relief earlier this month with strong easterly winds bringing snowfall, but Gyeongsang provinces remained dry.
The KMA expects dry westerly winds to continue affecting the east coast until March 27, when a low-pressure system carrying rain is set to move in from the Yellow Sea. Until then, extreme dryness and high winds will create ideal conditions for wildfires to spread.
The same winds are also carrying fine dust from China, with air pollution levels forecast to reach “very unhealthy” levels in Seoul, Chungcheong, and North Jeolla provinces on March 24, and “unhealthy” levels in Gangwon, Gyeongsang, and South Jeolla.
It remains uncertain how much rain will fall on March 27. If the system brings substantial precipitation to the east coast, it could help contain the fires. But if the rain is concentrated in western regions, the relief may be short-lived, leaving fire-prone areas exposed to renewed dryness.
