85% of Large Wildfires Occurred Between March and May Over the Past Decade
Government Agencies Gather to Discuss Countermeasures Ahead of Spring Wildfire Season
Ahead of the spring season, when large wildfires frequently occur, government agencies gathered to discuss countermeasures.
On the 24th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that it held the "Large Wildfire Risk Area Related Agencies Countermeasure Meeting" chaired by Hong Jong-wan, Director of the Social Disaster Division of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
At the meeting, countermeasures for preparing and responding to large wildfires this year were discussed, focusing on areas where large wildfires have occurred in the past or are expected to occur in the upcoming spring season. Over the past 10 years since 2015, a total of 32 large wildfires with damage areas exceeding 100 hectares have occurred, of which 27 cases (85%) were concentrated between March and May.
The Korea Forest Service is implementing wildfire prevention measures such as village broadcasting, inspections of forest business sites, and preventive watering. When a large wildfire risk forecast is issued, patrols in wildfire-vulnerable areas will be intensified.
In particular, as the national crisis alert level for wildfire disasters in the East Coast region has been raised to the "Caution" stage, related agencies were urged to actively promote wildfire prevention activities considering the weather conditions of each region.
The National Fire Agency will pre-inspect fire access roads and adjacent firefighting water facilities in large wildfire vulnerable areas and strengthen preventive patrols during weather warnings. In addition, if a large wildfire occurs, a nationwide national fire mobilization order will be issued to fully respond and suppress the wildfire at an early stage.
Each local government is striving to proactively block major causes of wildfires such as illegal burning of wood boilers and agricultural by-products. Furthermore, they are reinforcing firefighting equipment and personnel for rapid wildfire response and establishing cooperative systems among related agencies.
Director Hong said, "Prevention is the top priority for wildfires, and initial response is crucial," and urged, "Please thoroughly conduct surveillance and crackdown activities to prevent wildfires caused by visitors during the upcoming March 1st holiday weekend."
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