Wildfire warning possible as many small blazes reported

A fire broke out in Hwasun County, South Jeolla, at around 1:25 p.m. on Sunday. [NEWS1]

The National Forest Service may issue a wildfire warning as a dozen or so small fires broke out across Korea over the weekend and dry air conditions prevailed over the peninsula.

On Sunday, a fire broke out on a mountain in Hongcheon, Gangwon at around 11:55 a.m., burning about 0.2 hectares. The fire was put out after about an hour, with 100 firefighters and two helicopters involved in the process.

Another fire broke out on the same day at 1:25 p.m. in Hwasun County in South Jeolla. The fire was also put out after an hour.

The National Forest Service warned residents about wildfires as gusts of 15 meters per second (11 miles per hour) are expected in the eastern area of Gangwon on Sunday. In mountainous areas, gusts of 20 meters per second are expected on the same day.

A total of 12 wildfires broke out on Saturday, including wildfires in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang and Geumsan, South Chungcheong, burning 4.26 hectares.

Eight residents who tried stopping fires were treated at hospitals for burns.

According to the forest authority, most wildfires that happened on Saturday were caused by smoking, the burning of trash or other human activity.

The forest authority also warned residents not to use fire-related equipment late at night, in particular, as fires usually spread more quickly in the night due to stronger winds.

A fire that broke out at around 11:26 p.m. on Saturday in Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang, was put out after around an hour and ten minutes. The fire was extinguished relatively quickly as the winds were weak.

According to the National Forest Service, wildfires that occur during the spring season is mostly caused by the burning of trash and rice straw, causing about 26 percent of wildfires. Last November, the forest service revised the Forest Protection Act and prohibited the making of a fire within 100 meters of forestry areas. Anyone who violates the law will be penalized up to one million won ($760).

The forest service is considering of issuing a wildfire warning as most parts of the country, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Ulsan, have been under dry weather advisories on Sunday and with no rain expected in the near future.

Parts of Jeolla are currently experiencing drought, while some other parts of the country’s southern region are also expected to experience drought conditions next month, according to the Korea Meteorological Agency.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, SHIN JIN-HO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]