According to the Forest Service, the number of forest fire incidents this year is 483, and the extent of the damages is about 1288ha. Among those forest fire incidents, three which occurred in Ulju, Andong, and Goseong, took up to 84 percent of the total damages.

▲ There was fire in Goseong, on May 1st.

On May 1st, there was a forest fire in Goseong, Gangwon-do Province. It is assumed that the fire incident occurred because of an overheated boiler. At that time, strong wind warnings were issued in this area, and strong winds of more than six meters per second were blowing. After twelve hours since the fire had occurred, the principal fires were put out. Finally, the forest authority pronounced that the fire was completely put off at seven a.m. on May 3. Fortunately, there was no loss of lives, but there were losses of one timber house, one container warehouse, and cow house, two plastic greenhouses, and many other facilities.

▲ The helicopter is extinguishing the fire in the forest.

Like that forest fire incident in Goseong, there were more other forest fires in South Korea. On March 19, there was a forest fire in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. Also, in Andong, a forest fire incident occurred on April 24. All these forest fires occurred when the Korea Forest Service issued a strong wind warning based on strong wind forecasts. When the forest fire occurred in Ulju, Ulsan, about 4,000 people around the mountains were advised to evacuate from their houses. At 10 a.m. of the next morning, which was about 15 hours after the fire incident occurred, the fire was extinguished for about 90 percent. When the forest fire occurred in Ulju, there was a loss of one life. His helicopter crashed during the process of extinguishing the forest fire. It was also the day when drought warning was issued.

▲ Ulju`s fire was continued until next morning.

It is said that the Forest Service's modification of the forest fire response strategy had worked. They extended the input of helicopters, considering the consecutive dry weather and strong wind. When the forest fire occurred, they could minimize the damages through overreaction. Also, it helps that the principle of the Forest Service is “Not to pay attention to clean up the remaining fire and watch the rear fire.”

May 10, 2020

by Lee Dowon