Chulwon County in Gangwon Province is mobilizing 132 personnel and rented helicopters to prevent wildfires this fall. Following a wildfire incident in November last year, the county is preparing to extinguish embers and respond to initial outbreaks in vulnerable areas.
According to Chulwon County, local government offices will enter an emergency duty system from November 1 to December 15, coinciding with the fall wildfire prevention period. The county will deploy 42 members of the Forest Disaster Response Team and 90 wildfire monitors, assigning personnel to key hiking trails and areas prone to wildfires.
On-site efforts will include monitoring for illegal burning activities and conducting regular patrols to detect signs of wildfires. Surveillance cameras will also be utilized. Additionally, a prevention campaign targeting the elderly will be conducted to raise awareness about ember management and discourage burning.
Aerial firefighting resources have been secured ahead of the wildfire prevention period. The rented helicopters will be operational from December 12 to December 21, with a schedule designed to allow for responses before and after the official emergency duty period. Firefighting vehicles, drones, and mechanized equipment were inspected from November 19 to 22.
Chulwon has experienced wildfires in the fall. On November 12 last year, a fire broke out in Hwagal-ri, Dongsong-eup, prompting the deployment of six helicopters, five firefighting vehicles, and 25 personnel by forest authorities. This highlights the need for vigilance against wildfires even in late fall, a time typically associated with increased wildfire risks.
Wildfires have not been limited to a single location. In April 2024, fires occurred in Yongyang-ri, Kimhwa-eup, and Sincheorwon-ri, Galmal-eup. On April 7 of the same year, two separate fires ignited in Sincheorwon-ri, necessitating ongoing firefighting efforts. These incidents underscore the importance of monitoring major hiking trails and forest-adjacent areas.
There are also risks associated with the border area's characteristics. On April 13 of this year, a wildfire broke out in the Demilitarized Zone in Gadan-ri, Chulwon-eup, leading to aerial firefighting efforts that continued into the following day. The fire reportedly started in the northern region and spread southward. This situation necessitates vigilance against fires spreading from restricted areas near residential zones.
The current measures focus on reducing the potential for ignition through enforcement against burning, early detection via patrols and cameras, and response by ground personnel and helicopters. However, it is important to note that past wildfire incidents cannot be solely attributed to specific burning activities or the negligence of hikers. The causes of individual fires and prevention targets must be clearly distinguished.
The head of the Chulwon County Forest and Greenery Division stated, “We will thoroughly establish a response system to prevent the causes of wildfires in advance, ensuring the safety and property of our residents while protecting our forests.” He urged the community to participate in wildfire prevention efforts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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