Gwanak-gu, 2023 Comprehensive Wildfire Prevention Measures Implementation

Operation of Wildfire Prevention Headquarters until May 15, Establishment of Cooperation System with Related Organizations

Operation of Specialized Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Teams, Formation of Suppression Personnel, Deployment of CCTV at Major Mountains for Real-Time Monitoring

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has prepared the ‘2023 Comprehensive Wildfire Prevention Plan’ and is fully committed to wildfire prevention through an emergency duty system.

The Wildfire Prevention Headquarters will operate from February 1 to May 15, the wildfire vulnerable period. Three teams centered on ground suppression squads are formed, establishing a cooperative system with related organizations in the area, and an emergency duty team is organized to maintain a 24-hour surveillance system on weekdays and holidays.

Since last month, 10 specialized wildfire prevention and suppression teams have been operating, conducting on-site wildfire monitoring and prevention guidance. Additionally, 375 wildfire suppression personnel have been mobilized, forming professional and auxiliary suppression teams for initial response in case of wildfire occurrence.

Equipped with 1,081 pieces of suppression equipment across 13 types, including wildfire suppression vehicles and backpack pumps, CCTV cameras have been installed at four major mountains including Gwanaksan Yeonjudae and Samsung Mountain. Real-time wildfire monitoring is conducted at the Gwanak-gu Integrated Control Center and Gwanak Fire Station.

The district has established a rapid response system within the golden time of wildfire occurrence by cooperating with fire stations, military units, and neighboring local governments to promptly support firefighting helicopters in case of wildfire.

Active wildfire prevention promotion is conducted at places with many visitors such as the entrance to Gwanaksan, and campaigns will be held during the special large wildfire prevention period in March and April. In addition, joint training with Gwanak Fire Station will be conducted to strengthen on-site wildfire suppression response capabilities.

A district official said, “We will do our best to minimize wildfire damage and prevent wildfires through rapid initial response and efficient suppression activities,” and added, “We ask residents to actively participate in wildfire prevention during the spring season.”

The Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Team is conducting wildfire prevention training with related organizations.

Gangbuk-gu, 2023 Spring Wildfire Prevention Measures Promotion

Operation of Wildfire Prevention Headquarters until May 15, Entering Emergency Duty System

Operation of Specialized Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Teams... Strengthened On-Site Patrols, Establishment of Organic Cooperation System with Related Organizations

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is operating the ‘Wildfire Prevention Headquarters’ and is fully committed to wildfire prevention through an emergency duty system.

Wildfires occur in an instant but require decades for nature to recover. The spring wildfire caution period lasts 104 days from February 1 to May 15. Especially this year, the risk of wildfire occurrence is expected to be high due to higher temperatures and insufficient rainfall compared to average years.

About 55% of Gangbuk-gu’s administrative area is forest, and it is located near popular hiking spots such as Bukhansan and Opaesan Mountains, making it relatively exposed to wildfire risks.

Accordingly, the district focuses on deploying specialized wildfire prevention and suppression teams mainly around Bukhansan, a popular hiking area, strengthening on-site patrols, and establishing an organic cooperation system with related organizations such as fire stations, police stations, and the Korea National Park Service to carry out wildfire prevention activities.

In addition, to enhance efficient and systematic ground suppression capabilities in case of wildfire occurrence and to improve the skills of specialized wildfire prevention and suppression team members, specialized wildfire prevention education will be conducted, and campaigns for wildfire prevention publicity will be continuously carried out.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “Wildfire prevention absolutely requires active cooperation and participation from all residents,” and urged, “Please cooperate actively by not carrying fire or flammable materials when entering the mountains.”

Gangnam-gu Activates Spring Wildfire Prevention Comprehensive Headquarters... Operates 9 Automatic Detection CCTVs

Operates for 104 days from February 1 to May 15, Intensive Patrols at 8 Vulnerable Areas, Dedicated Wildfire Monitoring CCTVs at Guryongsan and Daemosan

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Cho Sung-myeong) will operate the Spring Wildfire Prevention Comprehensive Headquarters for 104 days from February 1 to May 15 to minimize wildfire occurrences.

Recently, wildfires have been occurring year-round, and especially in March and April, spring wildfires account for 45% of the annual damage area, making spring wildfire prevention increasingly important. Moreover, as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and daily life recovers, outdoor activities in spring are expected to increase, requiring greater attention to wildfire prevention.

The district has prepared a comprehensive wildfire prevention plan and deployed 34 personnel to patrol eight wildfire vulnerable areas daily (Daemosan Nature Learning Center, Ssangbong, Yongducheon, Gaeam Mineral Spring, Guryong, Motgol, Eungok Village, Daltteo Park), with intensive patrols conducted at least once a week.

Furthermore, the emergency communication system is maintained in a ready state for immediate dispatch, and in case of wildfire occurrence, on-site suppression teams are deployed while maintaining close cooperation with related organizations such as the Korea Forest Service and fire stations.

Wildfire suppression equipment has also been reinforced. A high-pressure hose equipment storage box was additionally installed at Jagok-dong San 39-1, operating a total of five locations to reduce hose movement time during wildfire occurrences. Equipment such as wildfire suppression equipment storage boxes and backpack pumps are inspected, and additional firefighting vehicles, flame-retardant clothing, and personal suppression equipment sets are procured.

Since December last year, the district has installed nine CCTVs equipped with sensors that automatically detect flames and smoke around Daemosan and Guryongsan for wildfire monitoring. This method moves beyond traditional visual monitoring and reporting, enabling proactive wildfire prevention by early detection of ignition points and rapid suppression to prevent wildfire spread.

Meanwhile, illegal acts such as smoking and fire use within forests are preemptively blocked, and monthly wildfire prevention campaigns will be conducted at hiking trail entrances to prevent wildfires caused by visitor carelessness.

Gangnam-gu Mayor Cho Sung-myeong stated, “Once a wildfire occurs, it causes loss of forest resources and damage to lives and property, requiring special caution,” and added, “We will focus on patrolling wildfire vulnerable areas adjacent to Daemosan and Guryongsan and do our best to establish a wildfire prevention and early suppression system.”

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