‘Spring Forest Fire Prevention Period’ Designated Until May 15
16 Billion KRW Invested to Expand Equipment Including Thermal Imaging Drones
Campaign to Prohibit Burning of Rice Paddies and Field Ridges
Gwangju City has designated the period until May 15 as the "spring forest fire prevention period" and is making an all-out effort to prevent wildfires.
According to the city on the 3rd, 8 out of 10 wildfires in Gwangju over the past 10 years occurred during the spring. In response, the city is operating the Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters earlier than usual and is allocating a budget of 1.6 billion KRW this year to enhance its wildfire response capabilities.
During the forest fire prevention period, Gwangju City, the five autonomous districts, and the Mudeungsan National Park Office will jointly operate the Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters. In cooperation with related agencies such as fire and police departments, they will strengthen wildfire prevention activities and initial response systems.
To strengthen ground-based wildfire response, 94 professional wildfire prevention and suppression personnel will be selected, and equipment such as wildfire suppression vehicles, backpack pumps, and radios will be inspected and maintained in advance to ensure readiness for initial response.
The city also plans to use special grants secured from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to expand firefighting equipment, including the purchase of thermal imaging drones. In addition, large-scale promotional activities will be conducted, such as broadcasting wildfire prevention videos through newspapers, TV, public transportation, and large electronic billboards.
The cooperation system with related agencies for wildfire prevention and initial response will also be strengthened. The city will work closely with relevant agencies and establish an aerial suppression system for initial response, utilizing one firefighting helicopter and three Korea Forest Service helicopters from the Yeongam Aviation Management Office.
The city also plans to actively investigate the causes of wildfires and apprehend perpetrators.
According to the current Forest Protection Act, anyone who sets fire to another person's forest is subject to imprisonment for not less than 5 years and not more than 15 years, while those who set fire to their own forest face imprisonment for not less than 1 year and not more than 10 years. Even minor negligence resulting in a wildfire can be punished by imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW. All burning activities within 100 meters of forests, as well as spring burning of rice paddies and fields, are strictly prohibited. The city will also focus on collecting and shredding agricultural by-products to prevent fires caused by burning agricultural waste and trash.
Jung Kangwook, Director of Green Policy, said, "As dry weather is expected to continue this spring, it is important not to burn rice paddies or field ridges near forests. We will do our utmost to protect the lives and property of citizens from wildfires."
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