Jeonnam Fire Department Strengthens Measures to Reduce Casualties in Forest Fires

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters announced on the 8th that it will strengthen preventive measures to reduce human casualties following a series of human casualties caused by recent forest fires.

Among the 2,925 cases last year, forest fires accounted for 13.7% (401 cases), an increase of 71.4% (167 cases) compared to the previous year (2021), and human casualties increased by 133.3% (from 9 to 21 people).

The causes were 90.4% due to carelessness and 9.6% due to mechanical factors. Among the careless causes, burning garbage accounted for 42.1%, and burning rice paddies and fields accounted for 31.6%.

Most human casualties from forest fires were caused by carelessness, with 73.6% occurring due to the expansion of combustion while burning garbage or rice paddies and fields, followed by reckless self-extinguishing attempts.

In particular, all four deaths from forest fires in 2022 were discovered already deceased after village residents recognized the fire and reported it to 119. There is a need for a change in public awareness and education to refrain from burning rice paddies and field ridges.

Accordingly, Jeonnam Fire Headquarters will conduct fire prevention education by visiting village chief meetings and community centers to request and promote refraining from burning rice paddies and fields, which have low pest control effects and pose fire risks.

In addition, fire truck patrol activities are being strengthened, and comprehensive fire prevention publicity broadcasts are being promoted using leaflets titled ‘Evacuate First When Fire Occurs’ and village broadcasting to create a safer environment.

Kim Joil, the Fire Headquarters Chief, said, “Carelessness accounts for the majority of forest fire causes,” and added, “Through these measures, we will raise awareness of the dangers of burning rice paddies and field ridges and work to eradicate it so that no human casualties occur.”