Geochang-gun Operates 'Sanbul Drone Surveillance Team'... Enhancing Forest Disaster Response with Smart Technology

Photo taken by drone.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, is organizing and operating a ‘Wildfire Drone Surveillance Team’ as part of wildfire prevention measures during this year’s autumn and next year’s spring wildfire caution periods.

The ‘Wildfire Drone Surveillance Team’ consists of 8 members divided into 2 groups, operating one thermal imaging drone and one regular drone to actively crack down on illegal burning of agricultural and fishery products, household waste, and other materials within forest-adjacent areas. They also broadcast educational messages to hikers and visitors at major trail entrances to promote wildfire prevention activities.

The county plans to actively utilize drones equipped with thermal cameras for establishing firebreaks, extinguishing residual flames, and monitoring for flare-ups during nighttime wildfire incidents, thereby strengthening forest disaster response capabilities through thorough wildfire monitoring and suppression both day and night.

After the wildfire caution period ends, the drone surveillance team is expected to contribute to various forestry fields such as illegal mountain area damage, pest and disease surveillance, and landslide monitoring.

Kang Sin-yeo, head of the Forestry Division, stated, “We will establish a smart forest disaster response system by installing unmanned surveillance cameras with thermal imaging functions and operating mobile wireless communication networks. We urge residents to exercise special caution as lighting fires or carrying fire into houses adjacent to forests can be subject to legal penalties.”