Increased Frequency of Autumn Wildfires... "We Cannot Be Assured This Year Either"

Autumn forest fires are becoming increasingly frequent. Even aside from the impact of climate change, the steady occurrence of forest fires caused by careless actions such as arson by hikers and burning of agricultural residues raises awareness about the dangers of autumn forest fires. Moreover, this year, factors such as the increase in local events and the number of hikers during the foliage season following the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened the risk of forest fires, increasing the vigilance of forestry authorities.

Firefighters are conducting nighttime firefighting operations at the wildfire site. Photo by Korea Forest Service

◆Last year's autumn forest fires were ‘twice’ the average of previous years= According to the Korea Forest Service on the 1st, a total of 66 forest fires occurred during the autumn forest fire caution period from November 1 to December 15 last year, with a damage area of 23 hectares.

Considering that an average of 35 forest fires occurred during the same period from 2013 to last year, destroying 11 hectares of forest, the number of forest fires and the scale of damage during last year's autumn forest fire caution period increased by about twice the average of previous years.

In the regional status over the past 10 years, Gyeonggi Province is noted as the area with the most frequent forest fires. During the autumn forest fire caution period from 2013 to last year, an average of 7.1 forest fires occurred annually in Gyeonggi Province, destroying 2.33 hectares of forest.

Other regions ranking in the top five for forest fire frequency include Gyeongbuk with 5.9 fires (damage area 1.35 hectares), Gyeongnam with 5.2 fires (0.97 hectares), Gangwon with 4.9 fires (1.79 hectares), and Jeonnam with 2.5 fires (0.39 hectares).

The increase in the frequency of autumn forest fires is largely attributed to the impact of climate change. For example, the average number of dry weather advisories issued during autumn (November to December) over the past three years was 28 days, nearly a full month.

By year, dry weather advisories were issued for 31 days in 2020, 22 days in 2021, and 31 days last year, creating conditions where small sparks could easily lead to large forest fires, according to the Korea Forest Service's analysis.

◆‘Complacent attitudes’ and careless mistakes still cause forest fires= Arson by hikers and fires started during the burning of rice paddies and field edges are also identified as major causes of frequent autumn forest fires. There are many cases where a momentary mistake leads to large or small forest fires.

According to the Korea Forest Service's statistics on causes of autumn forest fires, the highest proportion was due to arson by hikers. The categories for cause statistics include ▲arson by hikers ▲burning of rice paddies and field edges ▲burning of garbage ▲careless cigarette fires ▲arson by visitors paying respects at graves ▲building fires ▲others (unknown causes, workplace fires, careless reprocessing, arson, etc.).

Among these, forest fires caused by arson by hikers accounted for 25 cases last year (during the autumn forest fire caution period), representing 37.9% of the total 66 forest fires. This was followed by others with 24 cases (36.3%), burning of garbage and building fires with 5 cases each (7.6%), careless cigarette fires with 4 cases (6.1%), and burning of rice paddies and field edges with 3 cases (4.5%).

The problem is that the frequency of forest fires caused by humans, such as arson by hikers, continues steadily every year. In fact, from 2013 to last year, the average annual statistics for causes during the autumn forest fire caution period showed arson by hikers at 12.7 cases (36.1%), others at 11.7 cases (33.2%), burning of garbage at 3.8 cases (10.8%), building fires at 3.0 cases (8.5%), careless cigarette fires at 2.2 cases (6.3%), and burning of rice paddies and field edges at 1.7 cases (4.8%), indicating little change in the causes and proportions of forest fire occurrences.

Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, is briefing on the "2023 Autumn Wildfire Prevention Measures" at the Government Daejeon Complex recently. Photo by Korea Forest Service

◆Korea Forest Service strengthens autumn forest fire response= The Korea Forest Service emphasized that the risk of forest fires this autumn remains a ‘situation that cannot be taken lightly.’

It is expected that dry weather will continue with temperatures and precipitation levels similar to average years, which is not different from previous years. However, the increase in local autumn events that had been scarce during the pandemic and the expected rise in the number of hikers are factors that increase the risk of forest fires in autumn.

The recurring occurrence of forest fires caused by humans, such as arson by hikers, remains a significant challenge that cannot be overlooked.

Accordingly, the Korea Forest Service is implementing the ‘2023 Autumn Forest Fire Prevention Measures,’ including establishing a tailored forest fire prevention system based on causes.

First, to prevent arson by hikers, the Korea Forest Service plans to impose entry restrictions (1.83 million hectares) and close hiking trails (6,887 km) in areas with a high frequency of forest fires.

They will also continue activities urging agricultural and rural residents to refrain from burning rice paddies and field edges, while supporting the collection and shredding of agricultural by-products that occur in large quantities during autumn.

The forest fire prevention measures also emphasize strengthening forest fire response capabilities through cooperation between local governments and related government agencies. To this end, the Korea Forest Service plans to join the ‘Integrated Emergency Reporting System,’ which currently includes the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, fire departments, police, and coast guard, enabling all agencies to share forest fire situations and respond quickly when a fire occurs.

Nam Sung-hyun, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, “The Korea Forest Service will focus on minimizing forest fire damage during the autumn forest fire caution period by establishing a cooperative system with related agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Fire Agency, and Korea Meteorological Administration.”