Pohang City Resolves to Achieve Zero Wildfire Incidents... Fully Committed to Wildfire Prevention Efforts

Wildfire Prevention Campaign Launch and Citywide Civic Resolution Rally Held During Wildfire Caution Period

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Burning... Strict Non-Tolerance Fines Imposed on Violators

On the 15th, Pohang City held the 'Forest Fire Prevention Launch Ceremony and Citywide Citizen Resolution Rally' at the lawn square behind Pohang Baseball Stadium to mark the autumn forest fire caution period.

On the 15th, Pohang City held a "Forest Fire Prevention Launch Ceremony and Citywide Resolution Rally" at the lawn square behind Pohang Baseball Stadium to mark the autumn forest fire caution period. Photo by Pohang City

About 1,000 participants including 283 forest fire watchers, 52 specialized forest fire prevention and suppression teams, fire stations, volunteer fire brigades, and civic groups gathered to raise awareness of forest fires, pledge to prevent them, and announce the start of a full-scale emergency response system for forest fire management.

In particular, volunteer fire brigades and the Association of Village Leaders, who require the closest cooperation and communication during forest fire incidents, also participated to pledge their best efforts in forest fire prevention.

The event featured a demonstration of mechanized forest fire suppression systems, presentations on forest fire prevention measures, awards for forest fire prevention contributors, reading of the forest fire prevention resolution, and a performance. Finally, the Korea Forest Fire Prevention Technology Association conducted training to enhance citizen safety and the capabilities of forest fire watchers.

Pohang City is a region with dry weather and little snowfall in winter, characterized by extensive pine forests and strong spring winds from the East Coast, which increase the risk of large-scale forest fires.

Accordingly, since October 1, the city has organized 52 specialized forest fire prevention and suppression personnel into seven teams. Especially from this autumn, an additional team was deployed in the Songra-myeon area to strengthen initial forest fire suppression response capabilities.

Starting from the 15th, 283 forest fire watchers have been deployed to vulnerable areas to conduct forest fire monitoring and guidance activities, including crackdowns on illegal burning, focusing all efforts on forest fire prevention.

The city also plans to introduce an AI-based early forest fire detection system that uses deep learning video analysis technology to detect smoke and fire early through 10 currently operated panoramic forest fire surveillance cameras.

Systematic preemptive measures will be implemented according to the causes of forest fires, including focused crackdowns on illegal burning and applying a zero-tolerance policy with fines imposed on violators.

Additionally, the city will actively promote forest fire prevention to the public, including encouraging voluntary participation in the 'No Burning Green Village Campaign.'

Furthermore, through close cooperation with neighboring local governments such as Gyeongju City and Yeongdeok County, fire stations, the Naval Aviation Command, and the Marine Corps Division, the city plans to actively respond to forest fire prevention by utilizing suppression resources such as firefighting helicopters and personnel and ensuring rapid coordination.

Vice Mayor Jang Sang-gil said, “During the dry autumn season when the risk of forest fires increases, we ask citizens to be vigilant and refrain from burning activities near forested areas for forest fire prevention.” He added, “Pohang City will also do its utmost to prevent and suppress forest fires with a sense of mission to protect the lives and property of its citizens.”