South Korea is dealing with its worst-ever wildfire calamity, as blazes that started over a week ago in the central county of Uiseong more than doubled in size on Thursday, tearing through ancient heritage sites and uprooting tens of thousands of people, Firstpost reported.

At least 26 people have been killed by the fires, which have burned over 33,000 hectares (81,500 acres) of land, dwarfing the nation's previous biggest forest fire in March 2000, according to emergency officials. Authorities claimed it was the worst natural fire incident in the history of the country, according to the Firstpost.

Fueled by strong winds and extended dry spells, the fires have spread eastward across the rocky, steep terrain in the southeast, almost to the coast.
Military steps in to aid firefighting. More than 120 helicopters have been deployed across three provinces, according to the safety ministry.