Firefighters battled bushfires across the south-east of the country over the weekend. Most were out by Sunday, but dry and windy conditions persisted.
About 30 forest fires broke out in southeastern South Korea over the weekend, killing four people and injuring six, officials said Sunday.
Thousands of firefighters and dozens of helicopters have been dispatched to battle 29 blazes that have burned at least 4,700 acres and forced the evacuation of about 1,000 people, according to the Interior Ministry. The fires have also disrupted train service and forced the closure of some roads.
The government declared a state of emergency for parts of the region on Saturday evening. All but six of the 29 fires had been extinguished by Sunday morning, the Interior Ministry said.
All reported deaths and injuries are linked to the fire, which started in Sancheon County, about 160 miles southeast of the capital Seoul, on Friday afternoon, officials said.
Five of the six victims were seriously injured, according to the Central Disaster Management and Safety Headquarters. At least two of the dead were firefighters, officials said.
Authorities told local media that the fire in Sancheon was started by a farmer's lawn mower.
A government report said a separate fire started Saturday morning at a cemetery in Uiseong County, about 110 miles southeast of Seoul. Another fire broke out at a waste incineration plant Saturday afternoon in Gimhae, a city about 20 miles from Busan in the southeast corner of the Korean Peninsula.
The Sancheon fire was about 30 percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to local authorities. The Uiseong fire was only 3 percent contained, but firefighters said they expected to have it under control by the end of the day.
South Korean officials say dry, windy conditions are making it easy for fires to spread. March, April and May are among the country's driest months, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Jin Yu Young covers South Korea, Asia Pacific and global breaking news from Seoul. More about Jin Yu Young
