Deadly wildfires in South Korea worsened overnight, officials said Tuesday, as dry, windy weather hampers efforts to contain one of the country's worst-ever fire outbreaks.

Sancheong was already a special disaster zone - a designation that triggers extra funding and other measures. Acting President Han Duck-soo added another county in South Gyeongsang Province and two others in Ulsan and North Gyeongsang Province to the list.

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.