"Just Like This Year" 175 Wildfires and 58ha Damage in 2024... Record-Low Scale

The number of wildfires that occurred during this spring's wildfire prevention period (February 1 to May 15) totaled 175 cases, with damage estimated at 58 hectares.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 16th, this spring's wildfire situation was the second lowest in terms of damage since wildfire statistics began in 1986. The year with the least damage was confirmed to be 2012, with 102 cases and 49 hectares affected.

Compared to the average wildfire statistics over the past 10 years (416 cases and 3,865 hectares), this year saw a 58% decrease in the number of cases and a 98% reduction in the affected area.

An overseas leased helicopter is conducting wildfire suppression activities on site. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The precipitation from February to May this year was 341 mm, and compared to 2016, which had similar rainfall (354 mm, wildfire statistics: 309 cases and 347 hectares), the number of cases was 43% lower and the affected area was 83% smaller.

Based on this, the Korea Forest Service interpreted that the relatively frequent rainfall this spring, combined with the public's participation in wildfire prevention and the efforts of wildfire response agencies, collectively contributed to the reduced wildfire damage.

For example, this year, the number of agricultural burning wildfires (39 cases, accounting for 22% of all wildfires), which have been identified as a major cause of wildfires, decreased compared to the 10-year average (116 cases, 28%). Previously, the Korea Forest Service strengthened wildfire prevention activities by establishing a cross-government cooperative response system and expanding the shredding of agricultural residues.

The smooth operation of seven overseas-leased helicopters introduced for the first time this year and the establishment of a helicopter cooperation system among related agencies to extinguish wildfires at an early stage also had a positive impact on reducing wildfire damage.

Nam Seong-hyun, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, “Thanks to the public who participated in wildfire prevention and the efforts of related wildfire response agencies, the damage from wildfires this spring was at an all-time low,” and added, “The Korea Forest Service will continue to make every effort to protect the lives and property of the public from forest disasters such as wildfires.”

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