Fire Agency Issues Nationwide Fire Risk Alert 'Severe'... First Nationwide Level Ever

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As the wildfire in Uljin spreads to Samcheok amid continued dry and strong wind conditions, the National Fire Agency issued the highest level 'Severe' fire risk alert nationwide on the 5th. While regional fire headquarters have previously issued 'Severe' alerts for certain areas, this is the first time the National Fire Agency has issued a nationwide fire risk alert at the 'Severe' level.

The National Fire Agency held a situation assessment meeting at 8 a.m. that day and issued the 'Severe' fire risk alert nationwide.

The agency explained, "Considering the ongoing large wildfires in Gyeongbuk and Gangwon, the forecast of continued dry weather with strong winds this weekend, and the fact that the nationally important presidential election early voting is underway with the voting day approaching."

As of that morning, dry weather warnings were in effect for Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, and Gyeongbuk, while dry weather advisories were issued for Gangwon, Chungbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam.

Additionally, a strong wind warning was in effect for the mountainous areas of Gangwon, and strong wind advisories were issued for the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Gyeongbuk, and Jeonbuk. Furthermore, preliminary strong wind warnings were issued for parts of Jeonnam and Jeju.

The Fire Services Act, enacted in 2003 and implemented in May the following year, allows for issuing risk alerts related to fires. Following the 2019 Gangwon Goseong wildfire, the risk alerts were subdivided into caution, warning, and severe levels.

According to the National Crisis Management Basic Guidelines, a 'Caution' fire risk alert is issued when one meteorological special report (advisory) is issued or during important event periods. A 'Warning' is announced when two meteorological special reports are issued in three or more cities/provinces or when one special report is issued during important event periods.

'Severe' is issued when three or more meteorological special reports are issued in three or more cities/provinces or when two special reports are issued during important event periods.

With the issuance of the 'Severe' level alert, fire stations maintain 100% of available firefighting forces in immediate response readiness. During the alert period, the fire authorities conduct unannounced emergency contact network checks for all personnel at each fire station.

Furthermore, in the event of wildfires or other fires, fire station chiefs lead proactive responses from the initial stage, intensify fire surveillance activities in fire-vulnerable areas such as villages adjacent to forests, and conduct training on the use of emergency firefighting equipment and fire prevention education. Volunteer firefighters are also mobilized for fire surveillance activities and can be deployed for wildfire and fire suppression operations.

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