South Korea wildfires: How strong wind, pine trees and dry land fuelled the blaze

Strong wind, dry land and pine trees are a dangerous combination for wildfires, experts say.

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The inferno in the south-east has burned through 35,810 hectares (88,500 acres) as of Thursday - that's about half the size of New York City - killing 27 people so far and displacing tens of thousands.

Authorities believe the wildfires started by accident from human activity, but the main drivers of the devastation are dry land, and strong gusts sweeping over inland regions.

The high concentration of pine forest in North Gyeongsang province, where the fires are burning, is also "oiling" the blaze, said a forest disaster expert.

"Pine trees contain resin, which acts like oil, intensifying fires when ignited. This resin causes wildfires to burn faster, stronger, and longer," said Lee Byung-doo from the National Institute of Forest Science in Seoul.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8l60l8ppzo

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