Korea Forest Service Sets 'Special Wildfire Prevention Period' for Comprehensive Wildfire Control Efforts

Last month, a wildfire spread in the hills of Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. The photo is unrelated to the article. Source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Forest Service has designated this month as the "Special Wildfire Countermeasure Period" to fully respond to wildfire prevention.

The Korea Forest Service announced on the 2nd that it has set the period from the 2nd to the 19th as the "Special Wildfire Countermeasure Period" to strengthen wildfire prevention and response readiness.

The Special Wildfire Countermeasure Period is being implemented in response to the recent simultaneous outbreaks of wildfires nationwide due to ongoing drought and dry weather, which have escalated into large-scale wildfires.

Prevention is the top priority for wildfires. Accordingly, the Korea Forest Service plans to switch the central and regional wildfire prevention headquarters to a 24-hour emergency duty system and continue guidance and crackdowns focusing on wildfire-prone areas.

In addition, advanced assets utilizing the latest scientific technologies such as drones and ICT platforms will be intensively deployed, especially in areas difficult for wildfire suppression personnel to access, significantly strengthening the wildfire prevention and monitoring system.

When a wildfire occurs, firefighting resources such as the Wildfire Disaster Special Suppression Team and Drone Wildfire Suppression Team will be promptly deployed on-site, and efficiency in preparing for and responding to large-scale wildfires will be enhanced through role-sharing and cooperation with related organizations.

Nam Sung-hyun, head of the Korea Forest Service, emphasized, "As of the 1st of this month, a total of 597 wildfires have occurred this year, which is 1.6 times higher than the average of 371 in previous years. Especially this year, unlike in June of previous years, the risk of large-scale wildfires has not easily decreased."

He also appealed, "We ask that people avoid carrying or using flammable materials near forests and refrain from burning rice paddies, fields, or garbage."

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