'Green Shield' Fire-Resistant Forests Effective in Reducing Wildfire Spread and Damage

A study has found that fire-resistant forests serve as an effective shield in reducing the spread and damage of wildfires.

The National Institute of Forest Science announced on December 8 that it has scientifically proven the effectiveness of fire-resistant forests in slowing the spread of wildfires and reducing the scale of damage.

A fire-resistant forest refers to a forest composed of trees that are resistant to wildfires. The institute used its 'Wildfire Spread Prediction System' to simulate a scenario in which a fire-resistant forest is established within a pine forest. Based on the point where the wildfire breaks out, the system comprehensively analyzed weather conditions, topography, and fuel status to predict the expected range of wildfire damage over time.

The results showed that areas with fire-resistant forests had a wildfire spread rate approximately 40% slower and a damage area 20.1% smaller compared to areas without such forests.

This is because fire-resistant forests, composed of broad-leaved trees such as sawtooth oak, function as a 'natural buffer zone' that delays wildfire spread and reduces the scale of damage.

Jung Youkyung, a researcher at the Wildfire Research Division of the National Institute of Forest Science, stated, "This research provides scientific evidence that establishing fire-resistant forests is effective in preventing the spread of wildfires." She added, "The institute will continue to develop optimal placement techniques for fire-resistant forests and technologies to improve the survival rate of broad-leaved trees, contributing to the reduction of large-scale wildfire damage."