Wildfire Response Disaster Safety Headquarters Meeting Held Ahead of Cheongmyeong and Hansik
Entry Permits Required for Mountain Access... Strengthened Public Awareness Campaigns for Citizen Cooperation
Pohang City is mobilizing all administrative resources to implement strong wildfire prevention measures ahead of Cheongmyeong and Hansik.
Amid significant damage caused by large-scale wildfires in nearby cities and counties of North Gyeongsang Province, Mayor Lee Kangdeok of Pohang presided over a wildfire response disaster safety headquarters meeting at the Integrated Control Center on the 2nd.
Pohang City held a wildfire response disaster safety countermeasures headquarters meeting at the Integrated Control Center on the 2nd. Photo by Pohang City
At the meeting, Mayor Lee emphasized that wildfire prevention cannot be achieved by administrative agencies alone, stressing that the most effective wildfire prevention measure is the active interest of citizens.
In particular, Mayor Lee urged citizens to exercise special caution and strongly promoted that during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik periods, people must obtain permission from their local town or district office before entering the mountains, as dry weather could easily lead to large-scale wildfires if people are careless.
The meeting also reviewed specific measures for wildfire prevention.
Participants examined the causes and damage of wildfires that occurred during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik periods in recent years and discussed proactive response measures to prevent wildfire damage during the upcoming holidays.
Since March 27, the city has issued an administrative order prohibiting all mountain entry, outdoor burning, and smoking near forests (including golf courses).
Additionally, during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik period (April 4-6), the city will assign directors and department heads as responsible officers to be stationed on-site, strengthening wildfire prevention and initial response readiness.
Furthermore, as the risk of wildfires increases due to dry weather and strong winds, patrols in areas adjacent to forests will be intensified, and measures will be taken to ensure that entry permits are obtained from local offices during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik period.
To enable nighttime wildfire monitoring, thermal imaging drones have been used for surveillance training, and emergency fire extinguishing equipment and wells at local offices have been inspected in advance to enhance emergency response capabilities.
In addition, the city will review cooperation systems with related agencies such as fire stations and police stations for rapid initial response in the event of a wildfire, reconfirm emergency response manuals, and actively promote wildfire prevention rules to citizens.
Pohang City will restrict entry to 372 hiking trails, install banners at 450 key locations to inform the public about wildfire prevention and entry restrictions, and produce 1,000 vehicle flags for wildfire awareness to be attached to taxis, delivery vehicles, and official vehicles.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "With the risk of large-scale wildfires during the dry Cheongmyeong and Hansik period, we will keep all possibilities open and work with related agencies to take proactive measures across a wide range of areas to protect citizens' lives and property. I also urge every citizen to take an active interest and participate in wildfire prevention as a responsible member of the community."
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