Government Issues 'National Address on Wildfire Prevention'

More than 10 Wildfires Occur Daily Since the Beginning of This Month

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Korea Forest Service, the National Police Agency, and the National Fire Agency, announced the "National Address on Wildfire Prevention" on the 8th.

Han Chang-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (acting Minister), stated at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, "Due to the continued dry weather accompanied by strong winds recently, from January 1 to March 5, 194 wildfires have already occurred, which is 1.5 times more than the average of 127 cases," he said. In particular, more than 10 wildfires have been occurring daily since the beginning of this month.

Han Chang-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Photo by Yonhap News

Vice Minister Han announced, "The period from March 6 to April 30 has been designated and will be operated as the 'Special Wildfire Prevention Period,'" adding, "From March 6, the wildfire alert level has been raised from 'Caution' to 'Warning.'"

The government is currently strengthening crackdowns on illegal burning activities, which are a major cause of wildfires. On November 15 last year, the "Enforcement Decree of the Forest Protection Act" was amended to completely ban burning activities within 100 meters of forest areas. Violations of this regulation will result in fines of up to 1 million KRW. Furthermore, if a wildfire occurs intentionally, criminal penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment may be imposed, and even if caused by negligence, penalties include imprisonment of up to 3 years or fines up to 30 million KRW.

The government urged the public to ▲ refrain from burning rice paddies, field ridges, or various types of waste near forests ▲ avoid entering closed hiking trails and restricted areas ▲ even in accessible areas, refrain from carrying items that could cause wildfires such as lighters and burners ▲ prevent smoking and cigarette butt littering in or near forest areas ▲ report any sightings of wildfires immediately.

Vice Minister Han emphasized, "Restoring forests reduced to ashes takes more than 100 years, and residents of affected areas lose their lives and livelihoods," adding, "We earnestly ask for the public’s attention and cooperation in wildfire prevention so that our neighbors do not suffer further pain from the recurring wildfires every year."