[Editorial] Response Strategies to Protect Forests in the Era of Large-Scale Wildfires

Jung Chulwon, Head of Damyang County
Wildfire Response Requires
Structural Change and Community Engagement

Chulwon Jeong Damyang County Governor

In the spring of 2025, South Korea once again suffered severe damage from large-scale wildfires. The wildfires that broke out simultaneously in the Gangwon and North Gyeongsang regions clearly exposed the limitations on the ground, such as difficulties in the initial response, manpower shortages, and insufficient equipment. These problems are now spreading to local governments across the country. Damyang County is no longer a safe zone from wildfires.

Due to high temperatures and dry weather caused by climate change, the burning of agricultural by-products, and the region's characteristic of having vast forest areas, Damyang County is also not free from the risk of wildfires. The problem is that, in the face of these risks, the response capabilities of local governments are structurally constrained.

In Damyang County and many other basic local governments, the Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Unit plays a key role in the initial response. However, a significant portion of its members are over the age of 60, which presents clear limitations in terms of accessing mountainous forest areas and mobility. In particular, in large-scale wildfire situations where strong winds cause the fire to spread rapidly, it is difficult for them to participate in intensive suppression operations.

Furthermore, the employment structure, which is centered on short-term contracts, significantly undermines the expertise and stability of the suppression unit. Even though these units are responsible for wildfire prevention and suppression, skilled personnel are lost every year after their contracts end, making it virtually impossible to accumulate wildfire response know-how. Unless the structure that relies on short-term personnel for wildfire response is improved, ensuring on-site safety will remain a distant goal.

One of the most important means of wildfire response is helicopters. However, currently, when basic local governments such as Damyang County operate leased helicopters, the entire cost is borne by the province and the county. In reality, helicopters from the Korea Forest Service or central government assets are limited, and it usually takes a considerable amount of time for them to arrive at the scene after a wildfire breaks out. In order to secure the golden time for initial suppression, it is essential for local governments to secure their own helicopters, and in order to ensure the public nature of wildfire response, urgent national funding support for leased helicopters is needed.

The majority of wildfires are caused by human negligence. Local governments must proactively identify wildfire-prone areas based on past wildfire occurrences and regions with habitual burning activities, and strengthen monitoring systems. To this end, a constant monitoring network should be established in cooperation with residents of villages near forests and hikers, and human-centered monitoring should be carried out in parallel with machine-based surveillance using drones and CCTV.

To this end, our county plans to appoint village heads as honorary wildfire monitors and focus on managing burning activities in areas adjacent to forests. Through close communication with residents, they can detect wildfire risk factors early and actively participate in prevention campaigns and monitoring activities. Voluntary participation and a sense of responsibility among local residents are the most effective wildfire prevention measures.

The proportion of wildfires caused by the burning of agricultural by-products, a practice commonly carried out in rural areas, is also high. To prevent this, our county is actively collecting and shredding agricultural by-products. This not only reduces unnecessary burning and lowers wildfire risk, but also alleviates inconvenience for residents, achieving a win-win effect.

In addition, we are considering distributing garbage bags to residents living near forests to reduce the burning of household waste. Since even a small spark near a forest can develop into a large fire, it is essential to strengthen separation and collection systems to fundamentally reduce burning activities.

During large-scale wildfires, evacuation of residents is just as important as suppression. Since the prompt evacuation of residents is directly linked to saving lives, local governments must regularly conduct wildfire response drills and education together with residents. Residents should be familiarized in advance with action guidelines, evacuation routes, and shelter locations in the event of a wildfire. In particular, customized education is essential in areas with a high elderly population.

Wildfires are no longer a disaster limited to certain regions. In the face of this threat, which is becoming larger and recurring every year, local governments must become not only agents of recovery, but also the core institutions for prevention and initial response. Without effective policy support such as helicopter assistance, improvement of personnel structures, and establishment of community-based response systems, large-scale wildfires could threaten the forests and lives of Damyang at any time.

Forests are life. Strategies to protect this life can no longer be delayed.