Seoul: A helicopter pilot engaged in firefighting operations lost his life on Wednesday after his aircraft crashed while battling raging wildfires in South Korea, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The wildfires, which have been spreading across the country’s southeastern region since the weekend, have intensified, endangering a UNESCO-listed heritage site and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.

Authorities in Andong, a city with a population of 150,000 and home to the historic Hahoe Village, issued evacuation alerts, urging residents to move to safer areas.

Since the fires erupted on Saturday, at least four people have lost their lives, and hundreds have been displaced due to strong winds and dry conditions fueling the flames.

Acting President Han Duck-soo assured on Tuesday that all necessary resources, including helicopters and ground personnel, would be deployed to contain the wildfires as swiftly as possible.