National Park Service Implements 45-Day Fire Prevention Period

To prevent autumn wildfires, access to 148 sections of hiking trails in national parks across the country will be fully or partially restricted for one month starting November 15. The National Park Service will enhance wildfire monitoring using artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance cameras and thermal drones, and will deploy personnel and equipment from nearby national parks for initial firefighting efforts in the event of a fire.

The National Park Service, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, announced on November 1 that it has designated a 45-day period for wildfire prevention and initial response, which will last until December 15.

Autumn is a time when fallen leaves accumulate and the atmosphere becomes dry, increasing the risk of small sparks igniting large wildfires. This period also sees the highest number of visitors to national parks, making it crucial to prevent fires caused by visitor negligence.

The trail closures will be in effect from November 15 to December 15 for a total of 31 days. Access to 115 sections covering 474 kilometers, including the Jirisan Nogodan Pass to Jangteomok, will be fully restricted, while 33 sections covering 194 kilometers will be partially restricted. The remaining 515 sections, totaling 1,373 kilometers, will remain open as usual. Specific closure areas can be checked on the National Park Service's website.

To prevent human-caused fires, the service will strengthen patrols against illegal activities such as smoking and cooking, as well as burning in areas adjacent to forests. Fire prevention materials will be provided to homes and temples within the parks, and outreach activities will be conducted for local residents.

On-site monitoring will utilize AI wildfire surveillance cameras and thermal drones. Firewatch personnel will be concentrated in the field to enforce trail closures, patrol vulnerable areas, and facilitate early detection and reporting of wildfires.

In the event of a wildfire, a regional support system comprising the headquarters, four regional offices, and 32 local offices will be activated. Personnel and equipment from nearby national parks will be quickly deployed to prevent the spread of the fire.

Joo Dae-young, the Commissioner of the National Park Service, stated, "Wildfires can result from small acts of negligence, making on-site prevention activities and rapid initial responses crucial. I urge visitors and local residents to actively comply with closure regulations and fire prevention measures such as prohibiting smoking and cooking."