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