Gyeonggi-do Forms 12 Mobile Inspection Teams for Intensive Crackdown to Prevent Large Forest Fires

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Burning Activities from April 29 to May 15
Inspection of Visitors Carrying Fire-Related Items into Mountains

Gyeonggi Province, considering the large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region and the full-scale farming preparation period, will urgently organize mobile inspection teams from April 29 to May 15 to intensively crack down on illegal burning activities near forests in 31 cities and counties.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

During the mobile inspection period, Gyeonggi Province will form 12 mobile inspection teams consisting of about 60 personnel from three forest-related departments, including the Forest and Greenery Division. The mobile inspection teams will focus on cracking down at least once a week on illegal burning near forests in the responsible cities and counties, illegal burning of agricultural waste in rice paddies and field ridges, and visitors carrying fire-related items entering the mountains. Along with preventive publicity, those causing forest fires will be strictly punished.

Burning within 100 meters of forests will incur a fine of 300,000 KRW, and if a fire is caused by negligence, offenders may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

Lee Tae-seon, Director of the Forest and Greenery Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, “Wildfires usually start from momentary carelessness rather than intentional acts,” and added, “We hope that all local residents actively participate in wildfire prevention with the awareness that everyone is responsible for preventing wildfires.”