South Korea is facing its worst wildfire ever, burning through Uiseong County and causing massive destruction. The fire has already taken 26 lives and forced nearly 29,000 people to evacuate. The President called it the most severe wildfire in the country’s history, even worse than the one in March 2000, which burned 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres). According to Reuters, this is now the largest single forest fire South Korea has ever seen. Beyond the flames, the fire is also polluting the air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has worsened from “Good” to “Unhealthy” in the affected areas and is causing Wildfire Air Pollution in South Korea. In this blog, we will explore the data, how wildfires affect air quality, the pollutants involved, and the health risks for people in and around the impacted areas.

What is the air pollution condition in South Korea during wildfires?

The wildfire in South Korea is making the air dangerous to breathe. Here is a detailed view of air quality levels in the wildfire areas:

air quality map of south korea showing AQI levels during the wildfire on 27th March 2025
Note: The Data collected on 27th March, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
  • Wildfire Areas: AQI is Very Unhealthy (201-300) to Hazardous (301-500)—breathing this air is dangerous.
  • Nearby Places: AQI is Unhealthy (151-200)—air is unsafe.
  • Farther Regions: AQI is still Good (0-50) or Moderate (51-100) but may get worse.

The AQI data of South Korea on the Map

  • Uiseong County and Surrounding Areas (Epicenter of the Wildfire):
    • Uiseong itself reports an AQI of 166, firmly in the “Unhealthy” category (151-200).
    • Nearby areas like Andong (AQI 153), Yeongdong (AQI 141), and Hongcheon (AQI 147) also fall into the “Unhealthy” range.
    • Some locations, such as Chungju (AQI 100) and Cheongju (AQI 107), are on the cusp of “Unhealthy,” sitting in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range (101-150).
  • Nearby Cities (Moderate Impact):
    • Cities like Daegu (AQI 107), Gyeongju (AQI 57), and Pohang (AQI 63) show AQI levels in the “Moderate” (51-100) to “Good” (0-50) range, indicating that the smoke and pollutants have not yet fully impacted these areas as severely.
  • Distant Cities (Minimal Impact):
    • Western cities like Seoul (AQI 47), Incheon (AQI 90), and Daejeon (AQI 50) maintain “Good” to “Moderate” AQI levels, suggesting that the wildfire’s effects on air quality are more localized to the central and eastern regions for now.

Uiseong

AQI levels of the last 7 days of Uiseong

The air quality in Uiseong Eup worsened on March 25th, with the AQI reaching 169. This was likely due to wildfire smoke.

Andong:

Andong AQI levels to check the air pollution in South Korea

Andong’s air quality took a hit on March 25th, with the AQI reaching 176, likely due to the wildfire smoke in the area.

Bonghwa

Bonghwa AQI levels in the last 7 days showing wildfire causing air pollution in South Korea

The AQI in Bonghwaguncheong reached 159 on March 26th, indicating a big rise in pollution levels due to the wildfire.

Cheongsong

Cheongsong last 7 days AQI levels affecting air quality

The AQI in Cheongsong Eup spiked to 222 on March 25th, making it one of the worst-affected areas with extremely unhealthy air.

Mungyeong

Mungyeongsi AQI levels of the last 7 days to highlight the air pollution due to wildfire in South Korea

Mungyeongsi’s air quality increased on March 25th, hitting an AQI of 154, possibly because of the wildfire.

Sancheong

Sancheong AQI levels for the last 7 days to check air pollution

Sancheong Eup recorded an AQI of 133 on March 25th, showing a moderate but concerning increase in air pollution.

Yeongyang

Yeongyanggun AQI levels to check air pollution

On March 26th, Yeongyanggun’s AQI shot up to 175, showing a serious impact from the wildfire smoke.

These are the majorly affected areas by wildfire air pollution in South Korea The air quality levels here as increasing with the winds. 

The data clearly shows a gradient: the closer a location is to Uiseong, the worse the air quality becomes. The AQI in Uiseong and its immediate surroundings has spiked into the “Unhealthy” category, meaning that everyone may begin to experience health effects, with sensitive groups (children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions) facing more severe risks.

How do Wildfires cause air pollution in South Korea?

Wildfires release a mix of harmful pollutants into the air, significantly worsening air quality. The main pollutants causing the Wildfire Air Pollution in South Korea include:

Satellite view of south korea wildfire on 26th March 2025 showing pollution emission from the fire and the area coverage
Image source: Zoom Earth

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10):

  • Wildfires produce PM2.5 (fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream) and PM10 (larger particles).
  • Uiseong (AQI 166) is in the “Unhealthy” range, likely due to PM2.5 levels between 55-150 µg/m³, far exceeding the WHO guideline of 15 µg/m³ for a 24-hour period.

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

  • Wildfires release CO from the incomplete combustion of organic materials.
  • CO reduces oxygen in the blood, causing headaches, dizziness, and, in high concentrations, death.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

  • Wildfires emit VOCs, which react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone (O₃), a respiratory irritant.
  • VOCs also lead to secondary PM2.5 formation, making air pollution even worse.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):

  • High wildfire temperatures cause nitrogen and oxygen in the air to react, forming NOx.
  • NOx contributes to ozone formation and can irritate the respiratory system.

Ozone (O₃):

  • Ozone in the upper atmosphere is beneficial, but ground-level ozone is harmful.
  • Formed from VOCs and NOx in sunlight, it worsens breathing issues, especially in hot weather.

The combination of PM2.5, CO, VOCs, NOx, and O₃ makes the air dangerous to breathe, especially for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions.

Health Impacts of Wildfire Pollutants in South Korea

The rise in AQI levels and the presence of harmful pollutants pose serious health risks for residents in Uiseong and nearby areas. Here’s how these pollutants affect human health:

Respiratory Issues from PM2.5 and PM10:

  • PM2.5 penetrates deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and worsening conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and COPD.
  • In Uiseong (AQI 166), residents may experience coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
  • Children, the elderly, and those with lung conditions are most vulnerable.
  • Long-term exposure is linked to a higher risk of lung cancer and heart disease.
  • These pollutants make breathing difficult, especially for sensitive groups, and can have lasting health effects.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

  • High CO levels can cause headaches, fatigue, confusion, and even unconsciousness.
  • In Andong (AQI 153, “Unhealthy”), prolonged exposure to CO from wildfire smoke is a serious risk, especially for those unable to evacuate.

Ozone and Respiratory Irritation:

  • Ground-level ozone irritates the respiratory tract, causing chest pain, coughing, and throat irritation.
  • In Yeongdong (AQI 141), where heat and sunlight may increase ozone levels, residents may experience these symptoms, especially during outdoor activities.

How Wildfire Smoke Affects Health

Heart Problems

  • PM2.5 and CO make it harder for the heart to get oxygen.
  • This increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially for older adults and heart patients.

Mental Health Impact

  • Wildfires and poor air quality cause stress, anxiety, and trauma.
  • 28,800 people had to leave their homes, and 26 lives were lost, adding to the emotional toll.
  • Bad air quality forces people indoors, which can feel crowded and unsafe, making mental health worse.

Regional Impact: Nearby Areas at Risk

While Seoul (AQI 47) and Daejeon (AQI 50) have “Good” air quality now, this could change if the wildfire continues or wind patterns shift. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of kilometers, carrying PM2.5, CO, and other pollutants to distant areas.

Cities at Risk:

  • Daegu (AQI 107): Already in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category, air quality could worsen if smoke drifts south.
  • Gyeongju (AQI 57) & Pohang (AQI 63): Currently in the “Moderate” range, but a shift in wind direction could increase pollution.

Even areas not directly affected by the fire are still at risk. Many of the 28,800 evacuees have moved to nearby cities, where air quality could still worsen. However, with rain approaching, there is hope that the fire will be controlled and AQI levels will improve.

A Call for Action

The Uiseong wildfire has caused severe loss of life and property while also triggering a public health crisis. AQI levels have surged from “Good” to “Unhealthy,” exposing residents to harmful pollutants like PM2.5, CO, VOCs, NOx, and ozone. These pollutants lead to respiratory issues, heart problems, and mental health concerns.

Immediate Actions Needed:

  • Expand Air Quality Monitoring – Provide real-time AQI updates and health advisories.
  • Support Evacuees – Supply medical care, masks, and air purifiers to protect 28,800 displaced residents.
  • Strengthen Firefighting Efforts – Enhance fire suppression and adopt long-term wildfire prevention strategies like controlled burns.
  • Prepare Nearby Cities – Cities like Daegu and Gyeongju must be ready with resources to protect vulnerable groups.

This wildfire highlights the urgent need for better environmental disaster management. South Korea must act now to protect its people and reduce future risks.