Gijang-gun, 'Wildfire Prevention Education and Campaign'... Establishing Optimal Forest Disaster Response System

Busan Gijang-gun recently held a 'Forest Fire Prevention Education and Campaign' at the Gijang-gun Integrated Forest Disaster Prevention Warehouse (located in Dongbu-ri, Gijang-eup) and announced on the 11th that it is establishing the best forest disaster response system.

At the event, 67 participants including Gijang-gun Governor Jeong Jong-bok, 22 specialized forest fire prevention and suppression team members, 45 forest fire watchers, and related public officials took part. The program included ▲appointment certificate presentation for forest fire chiefs and suppression team leaders ▲oath-taking by forest fire watchers ▲reading of a resolution ▲and chanting of forest fire prevention slogans, collectively reaffirming their commitment to a 'Gijang without forest fires.'

Jung Jong-bok, the head of Gijang County, and wildfire prevention workers are reaffirming their commitment to a wildfire-free Gijang. Photo by Gijang County

The county has designated the period from November 1st to May 15th of the following year as the forest fire caution period and has established and operated 'Forest Fire Prevention Countermeasure Headquarters' at the main office and five eup/myeon offices to actively promote forest fire prevention work.

In preparation for the winter and spring dry seasons when the risk of forest fires increases, a comprehensive forest fire prevention plan has been established, focusing on activities to preemptively block causes of forest fires.

Additionally, 4,979 hectares, accounting for 33% of the county's total forest area, have been designated and managed as restricted entry zones, and 13 hiking trail routes covering 46 km, which is 57% of the local trails, will be closed. Forty-five forest fire watchers and 22 specialized forest fire prevention and suppression team members will be intensively deployed to vulnerable forest fire areas to conduct mobile patrols, continuously monitoring illegal forest fire burning activities, controlling access to restricted zones, and strengthening preventive activities such as fire-setting crackdowns.

In particular, burning activities near forest-adjacent areas, the biggest cause of local forest fires, will be strictly controlled. Regular inspections and intensified patrols will be conducted in forest-adjacent vulnerable areas to eradicate illegal burning, and enforcement and penalties against offenders will be strengthened.

Governor Jeong Jong-bok stated, “We will proactively respond to forest fire prevention and devote all efforts to preserving the forests of Gijang-gun, a forest-connected city.” He also urged, “We ask residents to remain vigilant to prevent forest fires caused by arson and to actively cooperate in minimizing forest fire damage by refraining from burning activities.”

Jung Jong-bok, the head of Gijang County, and wildfire prevention workers are conducting a campaign to establish a forest disaster response system. Photo by Gijang County