This year, the spring wildfire prevention period will be implemented earlier than usual. This measure reflects the increased frequency and risk of wildfires.
On January 15, the Korea Forest Service announced that the '2026 Spring Wildfire Prevention Period' would be moved up from February 1 to January 20.
A super-large helicopter belonging to the Korea Forest Service is conducting aerial firefighting operations at the wildfire site. Photo by Korea Forest Service
The decision to start the wildfire prevention period early was made in consideration of the heightened wildfire risk due to continued dry weather, particularly along the east coast.
In fact, on January 10, a wildfire broke out in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, affecting an area of 93 hectares. This is considered an 'unusual' scale of damage for a winter wildfire and serves as evidence that wildfire risks are rising nationwide.
Accordingly, the Korea Forest Service plans to implement the wildfire prevention period earlier to respond to wildfires swiftly and systematically, while also strengthening prevention and response by hiring additional personnel for wildfire prevention. During this period, the Korea Forest Service and local governments will establish wildfire prevention headquarters to carry out related activities.
Previously, on January 13, the Korea Forest Service raised the national wildfire disaster crisis alert from 'Attention' to 'Caution.' On January 14, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety called on wildfire-related agencies and local governments to strengthen their preparedness and establish an organic system of cooperation between agencies.
Kim Inho, Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, stated, "With dry weather persisting and wildfire risks increasing, I urge everyone to refrain from burning trash and agricultural waste during the wildfire prevention period and to exercise the utmost care in managing embers from wood-fired boilers and other sources."
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