Wildfire Risk "High" in Late Autumn... Nationwide Wildfire Warning Issued

The wildfire risk index is expected to rise to the "high" level in late autumn. A warning light has been lit nationwide regarding the risk of wildfires.

The Forest Disaster Prediction and Analysis Center at the National Institute of Forest Science announced on November 13 that, while the wildfire risk index is currently at a "somewhat high" level in most regions nationwide, the number of areas reaching the "high" level is expected to gradually increase in the short term.

Wildfire Risk Prediction Information Nationwide as of 3 PM on the 13th to 15th. Provided by the National Institute of Forest Science

According to the center, over the past five years, when the wildfire risk index was at the "somewhat high" level in November, an average of 1.2 wildfires occurred per day. Furthermore, when the risk index rose to the "high" level, the average daily frequency of wildfires increased to three cases.

The wildfire risk becomes even greater in late autumn when there is no rainfall. An analysis of the number of rainless days in November over the past 10 years shows that when there was no rain for three days, the average daily number of wildfires was 1.5. When there was no rain for four days, it was 1.6, and when there was no rain for five days, it increased to 2.3, indicating that wildfires became more frequent as the dry period continued.

In particular, when the number of rainless days reached 13, the average daily number of wildfires soared to 3.2, which is 3.7 times higher than the overall November daily average of 0.86.

Considering these factors, the risk of wildfires is expected to increase in the short term. The center explained that, given the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast of clear and dry weather with no rain expected through the weekend, the warning for wildfire risk is likely to remain in effect.

Won Myungsoo, Head of the Wildfire Research Division at the National Institute of Forest Science, warned, "Dry weather with no rain is expected to continue nationwide through the weekend, and the drier the conditions, the greater the risk of wildfires."

He also urged, "During the autumn wildfire prevention period, please refrain from entering restricted mountain areas and actively cooperate to prevent wildfires caused by illegal burning and other activities."

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