Yeongam County Launches Intensive Crackdown to Prevent Wildfires

by Yeom Seunghun

Published 30 Mar.2026 17:39(KST)

Strict Enforcement Against Illegal Burning and Other Violations

Yeongam County Office Building.

Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province has launched a crackdown on illegal activities in forests to prevent wildfires during the spring season.

The county announced that it has designated the period from March 23 to May 31 as an intensive enforcement period, during which it will conduct inspections for illegal activities in forests and adjacent areas.

This crackdown aims to prevent wildfires caused by human factors such as illegal burning and accidental fires started by visitors.

The county has formed two in-house inspection teams to strengthen patrols, especially in areas vulnerable to wildfires, and plans to operate a monitoring system using drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and CCTV cameras for wildfire surveillance.

The main targets of the enforcement include: ▲ burning within 100 meters of forest areas ▲ forest destruction and illegal logging ▲ smoking and use of fire in the forest ▲ illegal collection of forest products.

In addition, the county plans to carry out awareness campaigns in cooperation with village chiefs and hiking clubs, while encouraging public participation through SNS promotions.

Choi Jinseok, Head of the Forest Recreation Division at Yeongam County, stated, "Most wildfires are caused by carelessness, so prevention is more important than anything else," and urged, "We hope all residents will actively participate in protecting the forests."