At least three firefighters and a public servant have been killed and 10 injured in a wildfire in South Korea, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency in southeastern regions, authorities said on Saturday.

Wildfires occurred in several other areas across the country, with 16 instances reported on Saturday alone, according to the Korea Forest Service. Local media reported the fire scorched more than 4,050 hectares of forest. Over 1,500 residents have been forced to evacuate.