Jeonbuk Fire Department Begins 'Special Emergency Duty' for Rapid Disaster Response

April 3-6 Next Month...
Wildfire Prevention Measures in Place

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Department announced on the 31st that it will launch special emergency duty from April 3 to 6 during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik holidays to ensure rapid response to wildfires and other disasters.

Recently, large-scale wildfires have occurred consecutively in areas such as Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam and Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, and on the 26th, a wildfire also broke out in Muju-gun, Jeonbuk, indicating that the nationwide wildfire risk has reached a critical level.

Photo of the Muju wildfire in March 2025. Provided by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters

With the current dry climate and strong winds increasing the risk of fire, the likelihood of wildfires caused by the carelessness of visitors during Cheongmyeong and Hansik is even higher.

In response, the fire department will mobilize 1,951 firefighters and 2,806 volunteer firefighters during this period to conduct intensive preventive patrols and wildfire prevention campaigns, focusing on fire-prone areas such as villages adjacent to forests.

In addition, in the event of a wildfire, a rapid response system will be activated, and every effort will be made to minimize damage through cooperation with related agencies such as the Korea Forest Service and local governments.

The fire department has strengthened its emergency preparedness, completed preparations to maintain 100% availability of firefighting equipment, established a thorough on-site response system centered on station chiefs, and will focus on flawless situation management.

In particular, preventive patrols will be reinforced in wildfire-prone areas such as villages near forests to ensure wildfires are blocked in advance.

The fire department urged residents to pay close attention to important wildfire prevention precautions.

First, they advised people to refrain from lighting flames or smoking in mountains or fields, and to never leave the area without ensuring that all embers are completely extinguished.

Second, after visiting graves, people should carefully check to make sure there is no trash or embers left around the site.

Finally, the use of fire or illegal burning near forests is strictly prohibited, and any illegal activity should be reported immediately.

Lee Osook, head of the Jeonbuk Fire Department, said, "Wildfires can lead to large-scale disasters, so our department is thoroughly preparing to respond quickly and effectively, putting the safety of residents first. The small efforts of residents to prevent wildfires can make a big difference in stopping major disasters, so we ask for your active cooperation."