Mayor Joo Gwang-deok: "Safety First... Strict Compliance with Wildfire Prevention Rules"

All-Out Response Ordered as Forest Fire Alert Raised to 'Severe' Level

Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Gwang-deok) has recently launched an all-out response to prevent forest fires and ensure citizen safety following the simultaneous outbreak of large-scale forest fires nationwide.

On the 26th, Joo Gwang-deok, Mayor of Namyangju City, chaired the "Wildfire Emergency Countermeasures Meeting" as the national crisis alert for wildfire disasters was raised to the "Severe" level, checking the cooperation system among related organizations and discussing practical response measures. Provided by Namyangju City

On the 26th, Mayor Joo Gwang-deok of Namyangju City chaired an "Emergency Forest Fire Countermeasure Meeting" as the national crisis alert for forest fire disasters was raised to the 'Severe' level, checking the cooperation system among related agencies and discussing practical response measures.

Mayor Joo ordered, "In case of emergency, we will thoroughly ensure the rapid sending of disaster safety messages, designation of forest fire vulnerable areas, securing evacuation routes, and pre-arrangement of evacuation sites so that citizens can quickly recognize the forest fire situation and evacuate safely."

He also urged, "We will actively cooperate with related organizations such as fire stations, police stations, local agricultural and livestock cooperatives, and village chiefs to strengthen forest fire prevention and response activities including △surveillance activities △refraining from mountain entry △crackdown on burning acts △village broadcasting."

Earlier, from January to March, four forest fires occurred in the Wabu, Hopyeong, Jinjeop, and Sudong areas, prompting the city to proactively respond by preemptively blocking forest fire risk factors.

Additionally, as the national crisis alert for forest fire disasters was raised to the 'Severe' level, starting from the 29th, one-quarter of all affiliated public officials will be forward-deployed to 16 forest fire vulnerable areas in towns and townships on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Mayor Joo said, "Please respond quickly and systematically, prioritizing the safety of firefighters and public officials extinguishing the fires. Under current weather conditions, even a momentary lapse can lead to a large-scale forest fire, so citizens are urged to strictly follow forest fire prevention rules such as refraining from mountain entry, burning near graves or forest-adjacent fields, and burning garbage or agricultural by-products."

Meanwhile, those who intentionally cause forest fires may face imprisonment of up to seven years or more under relevant laws, and those who cause forest fires by negligence may be subject to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 15 million won.