Seoul City Tracks Even Smoldering Fires with Drones... Wildfire Prevention Headquarters Activated

Until May 15
Additional Installation of Unmanned Cameras and Black Boxes
Strengthened Crackdown and Patrols in Wildfire-Prone Areas
Use of Drones Equipped with Thermal Sensors

Monitoring forest fires with drones (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that it will operate the 'Wildfire Prevention Headquarters' from February to May 15.

First, to strengthen wildfire monitoring, the city will add 20 new black box cameras to the existing 15 unmanned surveillance cameras currently in operation. Using a wildfire vulnerability map, wildfire monitoring personnel will be deployed, and mobile crackdowns and patrols will be conducted on major hiking trails and wildfire-prone areas.

The existing 'Golden Time System,' which ensures arrival at the site within 50 minutes, will be shortened to 30 minutes. In case of wildfire spread, Seoul will be divided into five zones, with equipment and personnel mutually supporting each zone. Additionally, except for Yeongdeungpo-gu, which has no forest, 24 autonomous districts will operate 'Local Wildfire Prevention Headquarters' to establish an organic response system between the city and districts.

Drones will also be operated to grasp the progress of wildfire sites and to direct firefighting efforts. Equipped with thermal sensors, drones will measure forest temperatures to detect even smoldering embers.

Furthermore, the city will actively investigate the causes of wildfires through a specialized wildfire investigation team and will pursue perpetrators to the end. According to the Forest Protection Act, intentionally causing a wildfire is punishable by imprisonment of seven years or more, and causing a wildfire by negligence is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. In particular, smoking or carrying fire sources such as lighters inside forests alone can result in a fine of up to 200,000 won.

In case of a wildfire, it must be reported immediately to the fire station, Seoul Wildfire Comprehensive Situation Room, or the Korea Forest Service Wildfire Situation Room.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.