Spring Large-Scale Wildfire Prevention Special Measures Implemented … Busan City Operates Special Wildfire Measures Period

24-Hour Emergency Response System Transition Until April 30

Full Administrative Mobilization, 611 Wildfire Surveillance Personnel Deployed

Establishing Rapid Suppression and Response System ... Active Measures

Busan City has announced that it has prepared a “Special Spring Wildfire Countermeasure” to address the high risk of wildfires during the spring season and will make every effort to prevent wildfires and ensure early suppression activities.

Recently, in the Busan area, large and small wildfires have occurred consecutively due to dry weather and localized strong winds. In particular, a total of 10 wildfires have occurred this year, causing damage to an area of 4.11 hectares.

This spring is also expected to experience continued hot and dry conditions and localized strong winds, along with an increase in visitors to the mountains. Therefore, through this countermeasure, the city plans to actively prepare for human-caused wildfire risk factors such as carelessness by mountain visitors and the habitual practice of open burning.

The city has designated the period until April 30 as the special spring wildfire countermeasure period and will strengthen its response posture by converting the Wildfire Prevention Countermeasure Headquarters into a 24-hour emergency response system. During this period, administrative power will be fully mobilized in cooperation with related organizations such as autonomous districts, counties, and the Busan Facilities Corporation, and 611 wildfire monitoring personnel will be deployed to maintain wildfire response readiness.

Additionally, to raise public interest and awareness about wildfire safety, the city will strengthen lifestyle-oriented wildfire prevention publicity.

The main initiatives include ▲implementing a real-time wildfire information alert project at 26 locations ▲advertising on public transportation (buses and subways) ▲broadcasting promotional videos at major facilities (such as Gwangandaegyo Bridge) ▲conducting guidance broadcasts in wildfire-prone areas using leased helicopters, civil defense alarms, and village broadcasts ▲wildfire prevention campaigns ▲and online publicity (website and social media).

To prevent arson by mountain visitors, 110 hiking trails and 10,460 hectares in wildfire-prone areas will be designated as restricted entry zones and strictly controlled. Wildfire monitors will conduct intensive inspections focusing on 603 restricted entry zones and wildfire-vulnerable areas.

In particular, following the amendment of the Forest Protection Act in November last year, which completely bans open burning within 100 meters of forest areas, crackdowns on illegal burning will be strengthened.

Each district and county will operate its own mobile crackdown teams, and in rural areas, joint inspection teams (from agricultural, environmental, and forestry departments) will conduct focused crackdowns during wildfire-vulnerable times. Additionally, 94 villages including those in Gijang-gun and Geumjeong-gu will participate in the Green Village Campaign to eliminate burning-related wildfires.

Furthermore, to establish a rapid suppression and response system in case of wildfire occurrence, the city will establish an on-site command system, swiftly mobilize suppression resources for early suppression, and expand the initial deployment of leased helicopters for wildfire suppression to strengthen initial response capabilities.

Helicopter extinguishing wildfire scene.

The newly introduced leased helicopters this year arrive first within 20 minutes anywhere in the Busan area and are deployed for suppression work. They have shown excellent effectiveness by being initially deployed not only for wildfires but also for nine fires adjacent to forest areas, helping to prevent wildfire spread.

In addition, the city is actively preparing for wildfire occurrences by establishing emergency communication systems with temples and hermitages within forests, inspecting suppression vehicles and equipment to ensure rapid dispatch in emergencies, and establishing an initial suppression posture to minimize wildfire damage.

Lee Geun-hee, Director of the Green Environment Policy Office of the city, said, “As large and small wildfires have been occurring consecutively in the Busan area recently, we ask all citizens to actively cooperate in wildfire prevention activities to protect our precious forests.” He added, “Citizens visiting the mountains this spring are requested not to carry flammable materials such as matches, lighters, or burners, and to refrain from entering prohibited areas and smoking in forests and adjacent areas.”