Not just climate, but local factors contribute to Korea's wildfire crisis

작성자: 최정윤, Tannith Kriel

기사 요약: 좀비처럼 살아남는 강력한 불씨가 단순한 기후 때문이 아니라 침엽수 중심으로 조림된 한국 산의 특성 때문이라는 견해가 제기돼

[1] Following a wave of megafires worldwide, South Korea’s ongoing battle against massive forest fires seems to serve as another evidence of wildfire risks linked to climate change. But local experts say that there are Korea-specific issues in addition to global climate factors: the very dry spring weather and high concentration of pine trees in Korean forests.

megafire: 초대형 화재 mega-

massive: 거대한

[2] According to the Korea Forest Service, nearly 30 wildfires broke out mostly in southeastern regions of South Korea in the past few days, with a major blaze starting in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, on Friday, followed by additional fires in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province and Ulju, Yeongnam. Despite firefighting efforts, the flames area continuing to spread across the mountainous terrain.

break out: 발발하다

flame: 불길 / v. 활활 타오르다

terrain: 지형, 지역

[3] The government said the fires are being prolonged by unusually dry spring weather, lower-than-average precipitation, high temperatures and strong winds.

prolong: 연장하다, 연장시키다 / prolonged: 장기적인

[4[ In Uiseong, average rainfall in January is typically 15.5 millimeters, but this year it received just 7.4 millimeters. February saw an even more drastic decline, with just 4.8 millimeters of precipitation, compared to a historical average of 22.6 millimeters. A dry weather advisory has been in effect for days across both North and South Gyeongsang Provinces.

precipitation: 강수량

drastic: 과감한, 급격한, 극단적인

in effect: 효력이 있다, 사실상

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10449909