Climate Change Doubles Likelihood of South Korea's Deadliest Wildfires

A series of studies have found that human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood and increased the intensity of the extreme weather conditions that fueled South Korea's deadliest wildfires in March, which killed at least 32 people and destroyed 5,000 buildings. The fires, which burned over 104,000 hectares—nearly four times the previous national record—were driven by unusually hot, dry, and windy conditions attributed to atmospheric warming from fossil fuel emissions. Researchers from World Weather Attribution concluded that such weather events are now about 15% more intense and could become even more frequent and severe if global temperatures continue to rise. Experts warn that South Korea’s extensive tree-planting efforts, while beneficial for biodiversity, may have inadvertently increased fire risk, highlighting the urgent need for improved forest management strategies. The findings underscore growing scientific consensus that climate change is making conditions more favorable for dangerous wildfires globally. This case exemplifies the undeniable link between human-driven climate change and the rise in extreme weather events.