Wildfires in South Korea fueled by high winds and dry weather have killed at least two dozen people and forced almost 30,000 to evacuate.

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.

Wildfires are spreading across South Korea’s east coast as severe drought conditions persist, with strong winds threatening to intensify the flames in North and South Gyeongsang provinces and surrounding areas.