S. Korea wildfires kill 24, firefighting helicopter crashes

Climate change is projected to make wildfires more frequent globally, Lee said, citing the unusual timing of wildfires that ravaged part of Los Angeles in January and a recent wildfire in northeast Japan.

Kim Jong-gun, a spokesperson for the Korea Forest Service, said the agency planned to secure more wildfire-fighting helicopters, responding to criticism about a lack of equipment and helicopters.

The blazes broke out on Saturday and were threatening several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Andong city on Wednesday, a city official said, as authorities sprayed fire retardants to try to protect them.

The flames had already burned down Goun Temple, which was built in 681.

Agencies via Xinhua