Gangwon Yangyang-gun, All-Out Effort to Prevent Wildfires... "Please Observe the Entry Ban"

From November 1 to December 15, 'Wildfire Prevention Period'
Prohibition of carrying fire and flammable/ignitable materials in all forests
Activation of wildfire prevention cooperation system including special firefighting teams and volunteer fire brigades

Yangyang-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-ha) announced that from today (November 1) until December 15, a 45-day autumn wildfire caution period will be designated, and full-scale wildfire prevention activities will commence.

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Yangyang-gun has designated the period from November 1 to December 15, lasting 45 days, as the autumn wildfire prevention period and has launched full-scale wildfire prevention activities. The photo shows Yangyang-gun Fire Station and volunteer firefighters conducting wildfire suppression training in preparation for the wildfire prevention period.

During this period, Yangyang-gun will designate 5,766 hectares, which is 39% of the private forests in the area, as restricted entry zones, and to raise awareness about wildfire prevention, promotional materials such as flags and banners notifying entry restrictions will be posted around major hiking trails and frequently used access points.

Accordingly, if entry into these forests is unavoidable for certain reasons, prior permission must be obtained from Yangyang-gun. Additionally, during the same period, the possession of fire and flammable or ignition materials is strictly prohibited in all forests within the jurisdiction.

Yangyang-gun will establish and operate a wildfire prevention task force at the main office and six town and township offices to ensure rapid response in case of wildfire outbreaks, and will build a cooperative wildfire prevention system with related organizations and social groups.

Local community organizations such as village chiefs, volunteer fire brigades, and autonomous crime prevention units will also participate in wildfire prevention activities. Furthermore, unmanned surveillance cameras (9 locations) and observation posts will be operated to maintain a wildfire monitoring system, and to ensure rapid firefighting, one firefighting helicopter is leased and operated jointly with neighboring cities and counties.

The Wildfire Response Center and the Hyeonnam branch are also operating 11 firefighting vehicles and 1 water supply vehicle.

In addition, about 100 Yangyang-gun office employees have been organized into a special firefighting team, and 39 professional wildfire prevention and firefighting personnel have been selected to conduct on-site patrols and remain on standby.

Moreover, a total of 104 wildfire monitors, consisting of 11 watchtower personnel and 93 patrol officers, have been hired and deployed to 30 wildfire monitoring facilities (11 watchtowers and 19 observation posts). Surveillance activities will also be conducted through unmanned surveillance cameras installed at 9 wildfire-prone areas.

Yangyang-gun plans to respond with full force to wildfire suppression through joint efforts of civilian, government, and military forces, including the fire station, military units, and volunteer fire brigades in case of wildfire outbreaks.

A Yangyang-gun official stated, “With a significant increase in hikers and forest product collectors, and the expectation of continued dry weather, the risk of wildfires is increasing,” adding, “We will strengthen wildfire prevention activities focusing on restricted entry zones and eliminate vulnerable factors in advance to block the possibility of wildfire occurrences.”