Geochang-gun Reports No Unusual Wildfire Occurrences During Lunar New Year Holiday

Activation of Task Force, Maintaining Rapid Wildfire Response System

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, will operate a wildfire prevention countermeasure headquarters from the 21st to the 24th during the Lunar New Year holiday to prevent wildfires and ensure rapid and accurate initial response.

Due to the earlier-than-usual Lunar New Year holiday and the dry, warm weather favorable for outdoor activities, the risk of wildfire occurrence is high. Therefore, the county has established a wildfire prevention plan for the holiday period and is committed to achieving "zero wildfire occurrences."

Wildfire Prevention Headquarters, Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam.

Considering that wildfires frequently occur during the Lunar New Year holiday period due to arson by visitors for ancestral rites or hikers and illegal burning of agricultural and marine products, the county plans to mobilize about 200 personnel, including specialized wildfire prevention firefighting teams, township and town wildfire monitors, and outpost guards. They will conduct pre-inspections of wildfire prevention facilities and firefighting equipment and focus administrative efforts on strict crackdowns and patrol activities against burning near forest-adjacent areas.

In particular, since rapid initial response is crucial for wildfires, the county will maintain an organic communication system between townships and the control room using digital GPS terminals and devote full efforts to wildfire response.

Kang Shin-yeo, Director of the Forestry Division, said, "We ask that no fires be lit within the forest or any hazardous materials that pose a fire risk, such as ashes, be handled. A moment of carelessness could cause Geochang-gun’s lush forests to disappear instantly, so we urge everyone to always remain vigilant."