Seoul City Deploys Drones for Wildfire Monitoring and Suppression

Operation of the 'Sanbul Prevention Countermeasures Headquarters' Starting February 1

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 31st that it will activate the "Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters" from next month 1st to May 15th, the forest fire caution period when the risk of forest fires is high due to the dry spring weather, and enter an emergency response posture.

Last year, Seoul experienced 9 forest fires, with a damage area of 27,900㎡, more than double the average over the past 10 years (11 fires, 12,000㎡ damage area). This was due to the worst drought in 50 years during last spring. Nationwide, compared to the average over the past 10 years (535 cases), the number of cases (740) increased by 38%, and the damage area (247.82 million ㎡) increased sevenfold, so Seoul’s figures are relatively low.

Seoul plans to deploy about 260 forest fire monitoring personnel mainly in vulnerable areas identified on the forest fire occurrence map created based on 30 years of forest fire statistics, to prevent illegal acts such as smoking and use of fire within forests in advance and conduct patrols.

In particular, from this year, drones utilizing advanced technology will be used for everything from forest fire monitoring to suppression. To prevent arson by visitors, drones will patrol areas with frequent forest fires, and in case of a fire, thermal cameras on drones will capture the affected area to identify the fire spread path. Drones will also be used to extinguish fires in places difficult for personnel to access, such as rocky areas.

Additionally, to strengthen forest fire monitoring, 37 black box cameras will be newly installed in addition to the 14 existing unmanned surveillance cameras (111 existing black boxes). This aims to eliminate blind spots not covered by existing cameras and raise public awareness.

Furthermore, the forest fire equipment modernization project to enhance ground firefighting capabilities will continue this year. To improve and upgrade the performance of firefighting equipment, modernized ground firefighting equipment such as ▲a high-pressure water hose forest fire suppression system that connects fire hoses to fire trucks to enable firefighting up to mountain summits, ▲forest fire vehicles, and ▲mechanized forest fire suppression systems will be additionally secured to continuously expand and strengthen the initial firefighting foundation. Moreover, to prevent arson by visitors, promotional activities such as forest fire prevention videos will be strengthened, and a guidance system will be established to prevent human and property damage caused by forest fires.

Seoul will do its utmost to prevent forest fires and will rigorously pursue and punish forest fire perpetrators. Residents who report or provide clues leading to the arrest and punishment of forest fire perpetrators will be rewarded up to 3 million KRW.

Yoo Young-bong, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Green City Bureau, stated, “Since many dry days are expected this year, increasing the risk of forest fires, we will utilize advanced technology and modernized forest fire equipment and maintain close cooperation with related agencies such as the Korea Forest Service, Fire Department, military, and police to make every effort to prevent forest fires.” He added, “When going to the mountains, please refrain from carrying cigarettes, lighters, and fire sources. If you have them, please temporarily store them in the flammable material collection boxes (170 locations) installed at the entrances of hiking trails.” He also urged that in case of a forest fire, please immediately report to ▲the Fire Department ▲Seoul Forest Fire Comprehensive Situation Room ▲and the Korea Forest Service Forest Fire Situation Room.