Ganghwa County Mobilizes Full Force for Forest Fire Prevention

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Shin Eun-seop] Ganghwa County announced on the 27th that it will mobilize all-out efforts for forest fire prevention during the autumn fire prevention period (November 1 – December 15) by operating a 'Forest Fire Prevention Task Force.'

This is because starting from next month, with the transition to living with COVID-19, an increase in visitors, including hikers and tourists enjoying autumn foliage, is expected.

To this end, the county has completed forest fire suppression equipment for swift response in case of forest fires and established a coordination system with the fire department, township offices, and other related agencies.

Surveillance cameras have been additionally installed and are now operational on Bongcheon Mountain, Goryeo Mountain, and Mani Mountain. The county has also purchased wood chippers to prevent agricultural waste burning and is providing them to farmland adjacent to forests, thereby preemptively blocking forest fires caused by burning.

Moreover, by operating the 'Forest Fire Prevention Task Force,' the county plans to deploy forest fire prevention and suppression specialists and forest fire monitors to vulnerable areas and organize special mobile inspection teams to conduct prevention activities including crackdowns on illegal burning.

Additionally, the county will enhance response measures by installing forest fire prevention banners at the entrances of major hiking trails and fire-vulnerable areas and promoting awareness through village broadcasts.

County Governor Yu Cheon-ho stated, "Forest resources are precious assets to pass on to our descendants," and added, "We will mobilize all our efforts to prevent even a single forest fire from occurring and do our utmost to protect the lives and property of our residents."