Ritual at Gravesite Sparks S. Korea’s Largest Wildfire

South Korean authorities have detained a man suspected of igniting the country’s most devastating wildfire, which has claimed at least 26 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings, including historic temples.

According to police in North Gyeongsang Province, the suspect, a man in his 50s, allegedly started the fire on March 22 while performing ancestral rites at a family grave in the southeastern region of Uiseong.

Officials stated that investigations are underway to confirm the evidence. While the suspect has been formally detained, under South Korean law, detention does not necessarily lead to immediate arrest or formal charges. Local media reports indicate that the man has denied responsibility.

The wildfire has scorched approximately 119,000 acres, reduced around 4,000 buildings to ashes, and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. By Friday, authorities had largely contained the blaze, but firefighters continued battling lingering hotspots over the weekend.

This disaster, along with separate wildfires that erupted across South Korea last week, has resulted in at least 30 fatalities and intensified calls for national reforms to strengthen disaster preparedness. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of such fires.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, another wildfire broke out near the southern city of Suncheon-si. Authorities have deployed 23 fire trucks, four helicopters, and 123 firefighters to contain the new blaze.