Forest Fire Control Policies
in the Republic of Korea

Jina Kim, Director
International Cooperation Division

6 May 2024

Contents
Ⅰ. Overview of the Korea Forest Service

Ⅱ. Forest Fires in Korea
Ⅲ. Forest Fire Control System

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Area : 100,363㎢
Capital : Seoul

Per Capita Income : $34,983 (2021)
Area : 100,363㎢
Forests : 63,834㎢ (63%)
Population : 51.4 M
Growing Stock per Ha : 165㎥ (2020)

Highly intensive
forest fire control due to dense populationin relatively small land area (63% forested)3Ⅰ-1. Organization Chart of the Korea Forest Service (KFS)

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Agencies Affiliated with the KFS

5Ⅱ. Forest Fires in Korea• 2022 had 756 forest fires, 41% increase
compared to the average of the last decade• Burned areas (ha) increased by 7 foldcompared to the average of the last decade

Damages in 2022
US$ 1 bn

Avg. oflast decade• Main cause is human activity• Climate change makes forest fires break out all year roundsuch as negligence and burning 1980s

Others 2020s

Tomb visitors
Carelessnessof mountainvisitors

Building fire
Cigarette butts

Avg. ofthe last decade

Wasteburning
Farmland/Field burning 13%

6Dry Weather

Mountainous Terrain

Pure Pine Stand

According to KFS’ findings,
58% of annual forest fires areconcentrated in spring(March and April).

Forest fires tend to spread
more rapidly in mountainous
regions with steep terrains
than flat region.

Pine trees are known to bevulnerable to forest fires as
they contain a lot of thevolatile substance “terpene.”
Pine trees account for thelargest part of all pure forests
in Korea.

Spring 58%

Autumn 8%

Summer 11%

The high east and low west
topography also causes
localized strong winds during
the spring season in the east
coast of Gangwon province.

36.9%

Winter 23%<Coniferous forest> <Pine tree stand>7

Ⅲ. Forest Fire Control SystemPrevention
Comprehensive Measures to Control
Forest Fires by KFS

Forest FireRecovery

Control
System inReadiness

ROKResponse< Main Points >1. Enhanced cause-specific forest fire prevention& infrastructure
2. Year-round forest fire response system
3. Accurate on-site analysis & swift response
4. Scientific technology-driven forest fire response
5. Forest fire cause survey & damage restoration8

Ⅲ-1. Forest Fire Control System (Prevention)
 Eradicate burning agricultural byproducts: collecting and crushingagricultural byproducts in collaboration with several ministries.

 Fire Resistant Forests: Well-designed forest practices
including thinning, pruning, and reducing vegetation tocreate openings which reduces buildup of fuel for fires.

9Ⅲ-1. Forest Fire Control System (Prevention)
 Fire Defensible SpaceFire-resistant trees in pine forests and around towns create a firebreak zone.
Defensible space around buildings can help protect them from forest fires.

 Forest Fire Extinguishing Facilities
Installation of forest fire extinguishing facilities to protect cultural properties andtemples in forests.

Fire Defensible Space

Forest Fire Extinguishing Facilities10Ⅲ-2. Forest Fire Control System (Readiness)
 Forest Fire Risk Forecast

The KFS has developed a data-driven Forest Fire Risk Prediction System to provide
early warnings for the public and to facilitate immediate response.
Anyone can access the system and get information on projected forest fire risk
levels nationwide

Forest Fire Risk Forecast(http://forestfire.nifos.go.kr)

Safe day from forest fires

Day with high risk offorest fires11Ⅲ-2. Forest Fire Control System (Readiness) Innovative System using ICTAutomatic SMS alert and warning sent to local residents
Early fire detection mobilizing 350 fire monitoring drones and 1,448 surveillance cameras
Fire information collected through smartphone application (location, photos and videos of fires)
Fire Alert

Fire Detection

Fire Report Effective Humidity< 45%
 Wind speed > 7m/s

Thermal Images of Flames and Embers

12Ⅲ-3. Forest Fire Control System (Response) Forest Disaster Control Center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Forest Fire Monitoring System provides real-time information on deploymentof firefighting resources and status of fire suppression

Forest Disaster Control Center (FDCC)

Forest Fire Monitoring System13

Ⅲ-3. Forest Fire Control System (Response) Fire Suppression (Firefighters)Three types of forest firefighters cooperate according to the type of mission
using different technique, equipment, and training

Constructing Fire-breaking Space

Rappelling from Helicopter

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Forest Fire Spread Prediction System The system was developedby the National Institute ofForest Science (NIFoS).
 The system analyzes
meteorological information,
forest types, and firespreading forecasts.
 3D fire spread predictions
are a key resource for forest
fire suppression strategy
development.

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Ⅲ-3. Forest Fire Control System (Response) Forest Fire Suppression Resources
 In forest fire suppression, a variety of resources are used for effective andefficient prevention and control.

16 Forest Firefighting Resources (Equipment)

Command
Vehicle

Total

342

FireFighting
Vehicle1,394

FireFighting
Equipment(Set)
1,785

Personal FireFighting
Equipment(Set)38,546

Forest FireCenter132

Surveillance
Camera1,448

Fireplug

209

FireFighting
Helicopter

194(KFS, leased,related agenciescombined)

ICTPlatform

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Helicopters of the Korea Forest Service (2020)

Korea Forest Service (48) and municipalities (73) operate more than 120 helicopters.

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Ⅲ-4. Forest Fire Control System (Recovery) Post-fire Recovery Programs


There are two types of post-fire recovery programs: emergency
stabilization and long-term rehabilitation.

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Thank you.

Gwangneung Forest, Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province20