Jeju Fire Department Issues 'Spring Wildfire Safety Alert'

Published 03 Mar.2022 16:37(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters has issued a safety accident advisory, anticipating an increase in wildfires during the dry and windy spring season.

Over the past five years, there have been a total of 238 wildfire incidents, resulting in 5 injuries and property damage amounting to approximately 180 million KRW. It has been found that more than 20 cases occur steadily each year.

Wildfires were concentrated in the dry spring months (March to May), accounting for 45.4% (108 cases). The number of incidents in March (36 cases) and April (44 cases) was analyzed to be 6 to 7 times higher compared to the lowest month, July (6 cases).

The region with the highest number of incidents was the eastern area of Seogwipo City (102 cases, 42.9%), followed by the jurisdiction of the Western Fire Station (65 cases, 27.3%) and the Eastern Fire Station (47 cases, 19.7%), which cover the eup and myeon areas.

In particular, fires caused by carelessness such as burning garbage, leaving embers unattended, and cigarette butts accounted for 87.3% (208 cases) of the total, with orchards being the most common location at 65.5% (156 cases).

In February last year, a fire broke out at a palm tree farm in Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo City, when agricultural byproducts were burned and embers were carried by the wind, burning 3,300㎡ of grassland, 100 palm trees, and 59㎡ of warehouse and vinyl greenhouse, causing damage worth about 8 million KRW. In April, in Hannam-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City, a fire caused by burning waste materials destroyed 495㎡ of forest land and a total of 20 cedar and pine trees. Fires caused by carelessness continue to occur.

Accordingly, the Fire Safety Headquarters has issued a wildfire safety accident advisory and is strengthening fire prevention publicity by establishing a cooperative system with related organizations. They will continue safety guidance activities such as removing fire-vulnerable elements and prohibiting burning activities in collaboration with volunteer fire brigades.

A Fire Safety Headquarters official stated, “Spring is a season with dry weather and strong winds, which increases the risk of large-scale fires, so special caution is required. Since a significant number of fires are caused by burning agricultural byproducts and all burning activities are basically prohibited, we plan to strengthen public awareness campaigns and safety guidance for fire prevention.”