Gangwon-do Prevents Large Forest Fires by Eradicating Illegal Burning

2.1~5.15 'Green Village Campaign Without Incineration Wildfires'

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] The Gangwon Province Wildfire Prevention Headquarters announced on the 16th that "from May 1st to May 15th has been designated as the spring wildfire caution period, during which the risk of large wildfires is high," and "to eradicate illegal burning, the main cause of wildfires, we will promote the 'Green Village Campaign Without Burning Wildfires.'"

[Photo by Gangwon-do Fire Headquarters]

The campaign allows participation through a no-burning pledge targeted at 18 cities and counties in Gangwon Province. Villages that demonstrate outstanding wildfire prevention efforts, such as collecting agricultural waste and jointly shredding agricultural by-products, will be selected and awarded prize money and plaques.

Last year, 1,562 villages in the province participated, with 1,521 villages, accounting for 97.3%, signing the pledge, which was evaluated as establishing a participatory wildfire prevention policy foundation.

In fact, through the nationwide Green Village Campaign, the proportion of wildfires caused by illegal burning in spring decreased gradually from 31% in 2018, to 18% in 2020, and 13.5% last year. During the spring wildfire caution period, the province plans to conduct guidance and enforcement to check pledge compliance.

Lee Kwang-seop, Director of the Gangwon Province Wildfire Prevention Center, stated, "Recently, as residential areas have expanded near forest edges, wildfires caused by human factors such as burning garbage and agricultural by-products have been occurring frequently," and urged, "We ask many residents to participate for a safe Gangwon Province without wildfires."