Jinju City Intensifies Crackdown on Incineration Activities... Operates Drone Surveillance Team for Wildfire Prevention

Plan for Proactive Prevention of Wildfire Causes

Operation scene of Jinju City wildfire drone monitoring team.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province, is operating a 'Wildfire Drone Surveillance Team' to intensively crack down on the burning of agricultural byproducts near forests during the autumn wildfire caution period, which lasts until the 15th.

The Wildfire Drone Surveillance Team consists of four employees from the Jinju City Forestry Department who hold ultralight aircraft pilot licenses.

Using four drones owned by the city, the team plans to proactively prevent wildfire causes by extensively monitoring burning activities near forests in 26 towns, townships, and neighborhoods within the jurisdiction.

Additionally, to prepare for nighttime wildfires, the team will strengthen its capabilities by conducting flight training after sunset and real-time video transmission using drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.

Drone surveillance with thermal imaging cameras during nighttime wildfires can predict the spread path of wildfires, making it useful for initial wildfire suppression and monitoring flare-ups.

A city official stated, "Ignition by visitors and burning activities account for about 60% of wildfire causes. Most wildfires can be prevented with just a little attention and caution. We ask for the citizens' participation in wildfire prevention."

The Korea Forest Service designates the spring (February 1 to May 15) and autumn (November 1 to December 15) seasons as wildfire caution periods due to the high risk of wildfire occurrence.