A South Korean man tending a family grave is suspected of sparking one of the ‘unprecedented’ wildfires that ravaged the southeastern part of the country last week, the National Police Agency said Monday.

South Korean police detained a man suspected of performing an ancestral rite that later grew into the country’s worst wildfire, killing at least 26 people and destroying ancient temples. Authorities said yesterday he is believed to have begun the fire in south-eastern Uiseong County at a family grave on March 22.

The growth of extreme wildfire activity is being driven by climate change while resources to fight disasters are being diverted to preparations for war.