Yeongyang County Contained the Worst Wildfire and Shifted to Monitoring Mode

Intensive Wildfire Monitoring and Guidance During Cheongmyeong and Hansik Holidays

Yeongyang County in North Gyeongsang Province successfully extinguished the worst wildfire that struck Yeongyang on March 25. However, with the upcoming Cheongmyeong and Hansik holidays, the county is strengthening its wildfire monitoring system and maintaining an emergency duty system in anticipation of an increase in visitors for ancestral rites and spring outings.

Yeongyang County, Controlling the Worst Wildfire and Transitioning to Monitoring System. Provided by Yeongyang County

The county is deploying 78 wildfire monitors, 34 specialized wildfire prevention and suppression personnel, and approximately 120 public officials to areas at high risk of wildfire.

Additionally, to prevent man-made disasters like the recent wildfire, the county will intensify crackdowns on illegal waste incineration near forests and plans to impose 'strict penalties' upon detection.

The Forest Protection Act stipulates that those who cause wildfires through negligence or carelessness?such as burning trash, careless use of wood boilers, or accidental fires by forest visitors?may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, along with liability for damages.

County Governor Oh Dochang stated, "Disasters like this wildfire must never happen again," and appealed, "We ask everyone to cooperate in preventing wildfires by refraining from burning trash and not using fire near forests."

To contain this wildfire, the county mobilized 5,139 personnel, 39 helicopters, and 295 pieces of equipment over eight days starting from the 25th, making every effort to extinguish the blaze. However, the damage included seven fatalities, 5,070 hectares of forest, 110 buildings, around 900 agricultural facilities, and an estimated 84 hectares of crops.

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