Yeongju City, Joint Public-Private Campaign for Wildfire Prevention 'Zero Wildfires'

Yeongju City conducted a citywide wildfire prevention campaign on April 2, focusing on the area around Yeongju Dam and Pyeongeun-myeon, to prevent spring wildfires.

This campaign was organized to raise awareness about wildfire prevention in the community, as the wildfire crisis alert in North Gyeongsang Province has been elevated to the "severe" level.

The event was hosted by the Yeongju branch of the Safety Monitor Volunteer Group, with participation from the Yeongju City Safety and Disaster Division, Forestry Division, Pyeongeun-myeon Administrative Welfare Center, Yeongju branch of the Vietnam War Veterans Association, and local residents. In total, about 50 people joined, establishing a cooperative system between the public and private sectors and reaffirming their commitment to wildfire prevention.

On this day, participants started the campaign at the parking lot of Yongmaru 2 Park at Yeongju Dam and carried out intensive promotional activities throughout Pyeongeun-myeon, including distributing wildfire prevention leaflets, vehicle announcements, and putting up banners in Geumgwang-ri, Oun-ri, Jigok-ri, Gangdong-ri, Pyeongeun-ri, and Cheonbon-ri.

The campaign focused on raising residents' awareness through vehicle broadcasts and customized guidance activities tailored to each neighborhood.

Recently, large-scale wildfires have occurred consecutively in nearby cities and counties such as Andong, Yecheon, Yeongdeok, Yeongyang, and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province, increasing anxiety about wildfires in the region. The wildfire disaster crisis alert "severe" level is currently in effect throughout North Gyeongsang Province.

Accordingly, Yeongju City is strengthening preventive activities and patrols in wildfire-prone areas and expanding its cooperative system with local residents.

A Yeongju City official stated, "Due to the recent dry weather and strong winds, the risk of wildfires is higher than ever," emphasizing, "It is time for the entire community to be vigilant and actively participate in wildfire prevention."

The official added, "We will continue to create a 'safe Yeongju free from wildfires' together with citizens through ongoing prevention campaigns."

The campaign concluded with a small meeting after the activities, where participants shared the results of the campaign and discussed ways to improve future efforts.