Korea Forest Service Raises Wildfire Disaster Crisis Alert to 'Caution' Level

The Korea Forest Service announced that as of 2:00 PM on January 13, the national wildfire disaster crisis alert level has been raised from 'Attention' to 'Caution' across the country.

With the crisis alert level raised to 'Caution,' wildfire prevention and suppression teams will be permanently stationed in areas vulnerable to wildfires, and government officials will be assigned specific zones to strengthen patrols and enforcement activities.

At around 3:14 PM on the 10th, a forest fire broke out in the hills of Bibong-ri, Uiseong-eup, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, and smoke is spreading to the downtown area. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The decision to raise the alert level was made in response to the recent issuance of dry weather and strong wind advisories, particularly along the east coast, as well as the occurrence of 14 wildfires of varying sizes nationwide between January 6 and January 12.

In particular, the large-scale wildfire that broke out in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province on January 10, affecting an area of 93 hectares, also contributed to the decision to raise the crisis alert.

The Uiseong wildfire was an unusually large incident for the winter season. At the time, 10 firefighting helicopters and 240 personnel were deployed to contain the blaze.

Kim Sihun, Director of the Wildfire Prevention Division at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "The risk of wildfires is increasing as the dry weather continues. We will strengthen preventive activities in high-risk areas and, in the event of a wildfire, respond swiftly in the initial stages to protect the lives and property of the public."