The death toll from the wildfires sweeping through south-eastern South Korea has risen to 22, with authorities fearing the numbers could continue to climb.

Local reports on Wednesday revealed that at least 18 people had died in the south-east of the country since Tuesday afternoon.

Over the weekend, four first responders had lost their lives while battling the fires, with one person missing and two people sustaining serious injuries.

Emergency workers also revealed that around 5,000 firefighters and more than 140 helicopters are currently in action to combat the fires, which have already destroyed some 17,000 hectares of forest.

The fires, which began on Friday in Sancheong County, about 250 kilometres south-east of Seoul, have caused significant destruction, with several historical sites destroyed.

Goun Temple in Uiseong, built in 681, was destroyed, Yonhap reported, adding that national treasures stored in the ancient temple had been relocated before its destruction.

The historic Hahoe village, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage site in 2010, was also threatened by the flames.

Authorities had ordered evacuations to protect residents, just as speculations revealed that fires were fuelled by dry winds and a prolonged drought.

Wildfires are not uncommon in South Korea during dry spells.

In recent years, both average temperatures and extreme weather events had increased in the country, significantly increasing the risk and severity of fires.

Experts view the increase in wildfires as a sign of the ongoing effects of climate change.