As the Chuseok holiday approaches, an increase in visitors to cemeteries and hiking trails is expected, coinciding with dry weather conditions. The Gwangju Metropolitan City is strengthening its fire prevention and initial response systems.
On September 22, Gwangju officials announced that they have deployed three firefighting helicopters ahead of Chuseok to mitigate the risk of wildfires. An additional seven helicopters will be gradually deployed after October 4 to ensure a rapid response in the event of a fire.
Monitoring efforts will also be intensified. Over 500 personnel from the forest disaster response team will be stationed around cemeteries and major hiking trails to conduct fire prevention activities targeting visitors. They will also enforce regulations against illegal burning and the use of fire in forest-adjacent areas.
Authorities are closely monitoring recent reports of suspected wildfires. Since September 12, Gwangju has received eight reports from areas including Gwangyang, Sinan, Yeosu, Goheung, and Yeonggwang.
Of these, four incidents were linked to burning in fields adjacent to forests or the use of fire within forested areas. The city is considering imposing fines or legal action based on the circumstances.
In Gwangyang, officials have identified individuals involved in a fire that is believed to have started during field burning. The exact cause will be confirmed through investigations by the Korea Forest Disaster Safety Technology Institute.
In Sinan, a fire reportedly ignited when a torch was used to create an off-road bicycle course on private land, causing embers to ignite nearby leaves.
The Korea Forest Service is also imposing fines for unauthorized burning in forested or adjacent areas, emphasizing that even small sparks can lead to wildfires during dry periods. It is crucial to avoid using fire near forests.
Kang Shin-hee, a forest resources official in Gwangju, stated, “In dry weather, even small sparks can ignite leaves and weeds, quickly escalating into a large wildfire. Please refrain from burning fields or trash near forests, and report any wildfires immediately to 119.”
Meanwhile, the city plans to enhance fire monitoring in areas with high visitor traffic, such as cemeteries and hiking trails, while continuing to enforce regulations against illegal burning and fire use near forests. In the event of a wildfire, the city will coordinate the early-deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel for initial firefighting efforts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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