Jinju City's Approach to Wildfire Disasters
Rated as "The Best Ever"
Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province announced on the 18th that it conducted the "2025 Public-Private-Military Integrated Wildfire Suppression Drill" in the Wolasan Forest Jinju area, with the participation of related agencies including South Gyeongsang Province, the Western Regional Forest Service, the Hamyang Forest Aviation Management Office, Jinju Fire Station, Jinju Police Station, and the Air Force Education and Training Command.
This integrated drill was organized to strengthen cooperation among wildfire prevention agencies, check the disaster response system and initial response capabilities, and achieve the goal of "zero large-scale wildfires," in response to the increasing risk of major wildfires due to recent climate change. More than 400 people attended the drill and the observation event.
The drill simulated a scenario in which a wildfire breaks out near the Wolasan Forest Leisure Sports Complex, triggering the first stage of wildfire response. The entire process after the wildfire outbreak was rehearsed, including initial response, resident evacuation, establishment of an on-site command center, and both ground and aerial suppression. The drill also involved facility users and military units such as the Air Force Education and Training Command.
In particular, a total of eight wildfire suppression helicopters-including helicopters leased by South Gyeongsang Province, as well as those from the Korea Forest Service, fire department, and military-were deployed. In addition, 24 vehicles, including fire pump trucks, high-performance suppression vehicles, and wildfire suppression vehicles, participated, making it the largest-ever combined aerial and ground suppression drill. Jinju Police Station also took an active part in the resident evacuation drill, stating that in a real situation, the highest priority would be placed on preventing casualties through proactive evacuation of residents.
Lee Minjae, Chairman of the South Gyeongsang Council of the Korea Forest Protection Association, who observed the drill, said, "After watching the public-private-military integrated wildfire suppression drill at Wolasan, I am confident that large-scale wildfires will not occur in Jinju City. It was the best drill ever."
Mayor Cho Gyu-il stated, "I would like to thank South Gyeongsang Province and all related agencies for their cooperation in making it possible to conduct the 2025 wildfire suppression integrated drill in Jinju City. Wolasan, which suffered a wildfire 30 years ago, has been restored into a lush forest and now attracts many visitors to 'Wolasan Forest Jinju.' This makes it all the more important to protect our valuable forest resources. Based on today's drill, we will do our utmost to prevent wildfires and respond effectively, especially to ensure that no casualties occur due to wildfire disasters."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
