The death toll included a pilot who died after a helicopter crashed during efforts to contain wildfires in the southeastern town of Uiseong, one of the areas hardest-hit.

The death toll from multiple wildfires tearing through the southeastern region of South Korea rose to 24 on Wednesday, officials said, with more than 27,000 residents evacuated and historical treasures destroyed.

At least 18 people are dead after six days of fires fueled by dry weather conditions. Among the scorched buildings: two 1,000-year-old Buddhist temples.