"Weekend's Warm Weather Increases Wildfire Risk, Caution Advised for Wildfires"

The risk of forest fires is expected to increase this weekend due to the clear spring weather. Forestry authorities have urged special caution, including refraining from illegal burning activities.

According to the National Institute of Forest Science (National Forest Fire Risk Forecast System) on the 6th, the areas where the forest fire risk index rises to the 'high' level or above are predicted to gradually expand over the next two days starting from this day.

Regional Wildfire Risk Prediction Information Data. Provided by the National Institute of Forest Science

Analyzing the forest fire risk index and forest fire statistics from 2020 to 2023, April typically sees an average of 3.9 forest fires per day when the forest fire risk index is 'somewhat high (51~65)'. When the forest fire risk index is 'high (66~85)', an average of 7 forest fires occur daily.

When analyzing the causes of forest fires every April over the past 10 years, 'arson by visitors' accounted for 38.1% of all forest fire causes, followed by 'burning activities' at 21.2%. Due to weather effects causing dry forest conditions, a single moment of carelessness has led to increased forest damage.

In particular, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that daytime temperatures this weekend will remain higher than average. The highest temperature is expected to be around 25 degrees Celsius, continuing typical spring weather, which increases the risk of forest fires.

Ahn Hee-young, head of the Forest Disaster Prediction and Analysis Center at the National Institute of Forest Science, said, “With the clear spring days and rising daytime temperatures, nationwide spring outing visitors are expected to increase. As clear and dry days continue ahead of the general elections, the risk of frequent forest fires is also rising. We ask that people refrain from burning, smoking, cooking, and other activities near forest areas.”

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