Wildfire Surveillance Video Integration and AI Analysis... Real-Time Detection and Interpretation
Utilizing Drone Stations to Establish an Unmanned Wildfire Monitoring System
The wildfire that started around 11 a.m. on March 4, 2022, at San 22, Ducheon-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, quickly spread with strong winds, engulfing vast forests and several villages, leaving a painful record as the largest and longest-lasting wildfire in history.
In response to this large-scale wildfire, Uljin-gun set the goal of "No more wildfires in Uljin-gun" and established a strategy focused on wildfire prevention to protect the lives and property of its residents. The county has built and is operating an advanced wildfire monitoring system based on cutting-edge scientific technology, including the establishment of an ICT platform and the introduction of drone stations.
▲ Real-time wildfire detection and interpretation through wildfire monitoring video linkage and AI analysis
The existing wildfire monitoring system involved monitoring wildfire surveillance camera footage installed at the summits of major mountains in each region by personnel in the wildfire comprehensive situation room, and wildfire watchers visually inspecting the site while moving around. However, with the establishment of the ICT platform, AI now utilizes and analyzes the wildfire surveillance camera footage, overcoming the limitations of manpower monitoring, which struggles with multi-channel monitoring.
The analysis applies deep learning-based real-time video analysis technology, judging the presence of wildfires by minimizing false alarms based on six analysis factors including smoke, fire, and fog. Through an SMS alarm function, wildfire situations are communicated promptly, enabling swift response when a wildfire occurs.
Additionally, wildfire monitoring footage from 14 locations within the jurisdiction is linked to the Safety and Disaster Division’s CCTV Integrated Control Center, allowing the disaster management department to monitor wildfire footage as well. The footage is also connected to the Gyeongbuk Province Wildfire Disaster Comprehensive Situation Room for video sharing and AI analysis, establishing a multi-layered monitoring system that further strengthens wildfire prevention measures.
Uljin-gun expects that through wildfire monitoring video linkage (sharing) and ICT platform utilization, not only will the wildfire monitoring system be advanced, but wildfire response capabilities will also improve through enhanced situation sharing and collaboration with related agencies.
▲ Establishment of an unmanned wildfire monitoring system using drone stations
Due to the declining birth rate, outflow of young people to other regions, and the aging population of local residents, Uljin-gun faces a continuous decrease in wildfire monitoring personnel, and the issue of wildfire blind spots where manpower monitoring is difficult has been persistently raised.
While wildfire suppression is important, prevention is paramount. Therefore, various wildfire prevention policies have been introduced, such as joint crackdowns on illegal burning of agricultural residues and household waste, and support for agricultural residue shredding. These measures aim to preemptively block wildfires caused by the customary burning of rice paddies and field edges and agricultural residue burning in residential areas adjacent to forests. If burning activities are not detected early, they can easily spread to forests and develop into wildfires.
Accordingly, Uljin-gun has introduced drone stations (DJI Dock) capable of automatic flight and charging at Sogwang-ri, Geumgangsong-myeon (Geumgangsong Ecorium), and Sotae-ri, Onjeong-myeon (Baegam Forest Experience Education Center), which have been in operation since spring 2024. In May 2024, one case of illegal burning was detected in Sogwang-ri, Geumgangsong-myeon, and in November 2024, two cases of illegal burning were detected in Deoksan-ri and Geumcheon-ri, Onjeong-myeon, resulting in fines being imposed and effectively preventing the occurrence of burning-related wildfires.
In 2023, there were 15 cases of fines imposed for burning near forest areas (totaling 3.74 million KRW), but after the introduction and operation of the drone stations in 2024, the number of illegal burning cases dropped to 6 (1.44 million KRW), a reduction of over 50%. Continuous drone flights have also contributed to changing local residents’ awareness regarding burning activities.
Furthermore, Uljin-gun is promoting the establishment of wildfire agencies through various public projects, including the National East Coast Wildfire Prevention Center (Jeongmyeong-ri, Giseong-myeon) and the Gyeongsangbuk-do 119 Wildfire Special Response Team (Goseong-ri, Uljin-eup). Once these projects are completed, wildfire response capabilities are expected to improve significantly.
County Governor Son Byung-bok stated, “Our county has already experienced a major wildfire and has received much support from the public, and we are still working on damage recovery. Therefore, no more wildfires should occur.” He added, “We will do our utmost to make Uljin-gun a place free from wildfire concerns.”
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