Jeju Fire Department Issues 'Spring Wildfire Safety Alert'

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Go Min-ja) has issued an early wildfire safety accident advisory on the 14th and is stepping up thorough safety management in anticipation of an increased risk of wildfires due to the dry spring climate and strong winds.

According to Jeju Fire Department on the 13th, over the past five years (2019?2023), there have been a total of 156 wildfire safety accidents in the province, averaging more than 31 cases annually. Casualties included 0 deaths and 6 injuries, with property damage amounting to 137,016,000 KRW.

Spring Wildfire Safety Alert Card News.
[Photo by Jeju Fire Department]

By season, 46.8% (73 cases) of all wildfire safety accidents occurred during spring (March to May), followed by winter (December to February) at 33.9%, autumn (September to November) at 13.5%, and summer (June to August) at 5.7%.

The most affected area was the eastern part of Seogwipo City (69 cases, 44.2%), followed by the western fire station jurisdiction (49 cases, 31.4%) and the eastern fire station jurisdiction (24 cases, 15.4%) in the eup/myeon areas. Injuries were highest in the western region with 5 cases (83.3%).

Notably, fires caused by negligence such as garbage burning, leaving embers unattended, and cigarette butts accounted for 81.4% (127 cases) of incidents, with orchards being the most common location at 65.4% (102 cases).

On January 16th, a fire broke out in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City due to sparks from careless garbage burning. On March 5th, 2022, in Haweon-dong, Seogwipo City, embers left unattended during the burning of waste wood spread to nearby wild grasslands, causing property damage worth 2,083,000 KRW. Such wildfire safety accidents continue annually, both large and small.

In response, the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters plans to strengthen fire prevention publicity by establishing a cooperative system with related organizations alongside issuing the spring wildfire safety accident advisory. They will also conduct safety guidance activities such as removing fire-vulnerable elements near villages and prohibiting burning activities, while establishing a rapid response system for emergencies.

Chief Go Min-ja of the Fire Safety Headquarters stated, “Spring is a season with many fire risk factors due to dry weather, strong winds, and increased outdoor activities. Especially since most accidents are caused by negligence, strict prohibition of illegal disposal of cigarette butts and unauthorized burning is necessary, and special caution must be exercised.”

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr