Korea Forest Service "Strengthening 'Wildfire Response Capability' through Advanced Technology Integration and Public-Private Cooperation"

Park Jong-ho, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, is introducing the "2020 National Comprehensive Measures for Forest Fire Prevention" at the Government Complex Daejeon on the 22nd. Photo by Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Forest Service is strengthening its wildfire response capabilities by integrating advanced information and communication technology (ICT) and fostering cooperation between private and government agencies.

On the 22nd, the Korea Forest Service announced the "2020 National Comprehensive Wildfire Prevention Plan" at the Government Complex Daejeon, outlining these measures.

The comprehensive plan focuses on wildfire prevention using new technologies such as ICT based on experiences accumulated during last year's wildfire suppression on the East Coast and this year's wildfire outlook. It also includes differentiated forest management in high-risk wildfire areas, preparation for new types of wildfires such as those involving power facilities and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and responding to wildfires in collaboration with local communities.

First, the Korea Forest Service will select high-risk wildfire areas and temporarily restrict entry during the spring season. In blind spots where manpower is insufficient, wildfire monitoring will be enhanced using advanced ICT equipment such as drone wildfire patrol teams, intelligent CCTVs, and surveillance cameras.

This measure reflects the "wildfire occurrence big data" results, which show that 6.4 out of 10 wildfires over the past decade occurred in spring, with most wildfires caused by arson by visitors and during burning processes.

For the East Coast region, identified as a high-risk area for large wildfires, a separate customized wildfire prevention plan will be implemented. Fire prevention forest roads, which serve as firebreaks and wildfire suppression roads, will be installed throughout the area. Wildfire-safe spaces and fire-resistant forest belts will be created to facilitate wildfire suppression and prevent the spread of fires when they occur.

In particular, the Korea Forest Service will deploy two additional super-large helicopters introduced at the end of last year to the Gangwon Yeongdong and Yeongseo regions to prepare for large wildfires. It will maintain a cooperative system among related agencies to ensure that 166 helicopters owned by local governments, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Fire Agency can arrive at wildfire sites within the golden time.

The inter-agency collaboration system will also be strengthened to respond to new types of wildfires such as those involving power facilities, the DMZ, wildfire spread, and fires spreading to buildings. In connection with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's "Power Facility Safety Enhancement Measures," the plan aims to improve power supply methods in windy and dry areas and maintain close cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense for the rapid deployment of wildfire suppression helicopters in the DMZ.

Additionally, the Korea Forest Service plans to move away from government-led, standardized wildfire prevention and awareness campaigns and foster an atmosphere where local communities themselves develop awareness and actively engage in wildfire prevention activities.

For example, through the "Green Village Without Burning Wildfires" campaign, the Korea Forest Service will identify and reward villages that do not engage in illegal burning. It will also pilot the "Visiting Wildfire Safety Classroom" program targeting elementary, middle, and high schools to raise students' awareness of wildfire prevention.

Furthermore, agricultural residues and household waste generated near forest areas will be collected and shredded in cooperation with local residents. Illegal burning offenders will be strictly punished under relevant regulations with a zero-tolerance policy.

Park Jong-ho, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, "Learning from last year's wildfire response on the Gangwon East Coast, the Korea Forest Service will firmly maintain cooperation with related agencies this year and focus on minimizing wildfire damage. Separately, considering that wildfires mainly occur due to human activities, I also ask every citizen to actively participate in wildfire prevention."