Firefighters containing wildfires touted as heroes; 1.8b won in donations raised

A firefighter hydrates on the job as he protects the Byeongsanseowon Confucian academy in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. (Yonhap)

As the massive wildfires that engulfed the southeastern region of South Korea are now 94 percent contained, members of the public have been praising the firefighters who have been working hard to combat the largest forest fires in the country's history.

A photo of a burnt fire truck was posted Thursday on the X account of Bae Gyeong, the pen name of an active firefighter who is also a writer. "A close colleague of mine went to the wildfire scene and told me he almost died," he wrote. "I thought he was joking until I saw the scorched fire truck."

The image was shared over 10,000 times and liked 18,000 times, with most of the nearly 100 comments offering gratitude to the firefighting professionals.

A photo shared on Thursday via social platform X by a firefighter and part-time writer shows a fire truck scorched by flames in efforts to contain the massive wildfires in Korea's southeastern region. (X)

Another firefighter on X shared two photos of firefighters lying on the grass next to a fire truck. The uniforms of both men appeared to have been scorched as well.

Some restaurants and coffee shops in affected regions have meanwhile stepped up to provide free food and drinks for firefighters. According to Yonhap News Agency, a noodle diner in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday started a free meal policy for firefighters at wildfire sites.

Firefighters dispatched to Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, take a break to eat lunch on Friday. (Yonhap)

The owner of the restaurant put up a banner and requested that the city government of Andong spread the information. "I can't put out the fires myself, but I thought of how I could help the firefighters," the owner said. "I came up with the idea of treating them to a hot meal, after seeing photos of them eating gimbap."

Photos of what were deemed by many to be substandard meals provided to firefighters on the scene have spread online and via media, sparking criticism.

In a bid to aid firefighters by providing funding to buy new equipment, the Korea Disaster Relief Association on Sunday kicked off a fundraiser with the goal to raise 2 billion won ($1.36 million) by April 23. About 91 percent of the target amount — 1.83 billion won — had already been raised by Friday afternoon.

A banner hung at a noodle restaurant in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, advertises free meals for firefighters combating wildfires, Thursday. (Yonhap)