The Korea Forest Service's wildfire suppression helicopter is demonstrating firefighting activities simulating a fire situation during the "Joint Wildfire Suppression Drill." Photo unrelated to the article. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.
[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The wildfire that occurred in Inje, Gangwon Province, was extinguished after an all-night battle.
According to the Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service on the 16th, the wildfire started around 3:39 PM the previous day at Hanseoksan Mountain, San 1, Deokjeok-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, and the main fire was brought under control at 8:05 AM the next day (the 16th).
The forestry authorities deployed 52 firefighting personnel to the wildfire site, including 11 members of the Special Wildfire Disaster Suppression Team, 22 local government officials, 12 firefighters, and 7 police officers. Despite the subzero cold, they combed the wildfire area overnight to extinguish the fire.
No casualties occurred during the overnight firefighting operations. The Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service plans to conduct a detailed investigation into the wildfire damage area and the cause of the fire after completing mop-up operations.
On the 15th, in addition to the wildfire in Inje, Gangwon Province, five other wildfires occurred nationwide: in Sangbuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam Province; Ja-an-ri, Bibong-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province; Sanggari, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongbuk Province; Hadong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk Province; and Naho-ri, Ubo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. This makes a total of six wildfire incidents in one day.
Among these, five wildfires, including the one in Inje, Gangwon Province, have been extinguished, but the wildfire in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Province, is still undergoing firefighting efforts.
The Korea Forest Service emphasizes the need for caution as the risk of wildfire occurrence is high due to the continued dry weather.
Ko Rak-sam, head of the Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service, said, “As dry weather continues along the east coast of Gangwon and the Yeongnam region, concerns about wildfires are increasing. Even a small spark caused by a minor mistake can spread a wildfire, so we ask for the public’s special attention and care.”
Meanwhile, among the six wildfires that occurred on the 15th, three were confirmed to have been caused by cigarette butts and burning of garbage. The remaining three are still under investigation, and it cannot be ruled out that they were also caused by simple mistakes.
However, even if a wildfire is caused by mistake, the punishment is not lightened. The Forest Protection Act (Article 53, Paragraphs 1 and 5) stipulates that arson in forest protection areas can result in imprisonment for 7 to 15 years.
In particular, even if a wildfire is caused by a simple mistake, the offender may face imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won, and under the Civil Act (Article 750), they are also liable for damages.
Separately, the Korea Forest Service operates a reward system to promote wildfire prevention and reporting, providing up to 3 million won to citizens who report or help capture those who start fires in or around forests.
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