SEOUL - The South Korean city of Daegu ordered on Monday more than 1,200 residents to evacuate after strong winds whipped up a wildfire and prompted the closure of a highway in the area due to concerns about the blaze.

The wildfire began at around 2 pm (0500 GMT) and had affected an estimated 50 hectares in less than two hours due to dry conditions and constant winds, the Korea Forest Service said in a statement.

No casualties had been reported so far due to the fire around Daegu, which is about 233 km southeast of the capital Seoul.

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The Korea Forest Service said 26 helicopters and 202 firefighting personnel were deployed to the site, while a section of the Gyeongbu highway was closed.

In March, South Korea suffered the country's worst ever natural fire disaster, with nearly 30 people killed and historic temples incinerated.