Sokcho Achieves Zero Spring Wildfires for 7 Consecutive Years, Receives Ministerial Award

Sokcho, the Only City in Gangwon's 18 Municipalities with Zero Wildfires
Early Surveillance and Daily Hazard Inspections Prove Effective
Wildfire Suppression Team Leader Park Seongyeol Also Receives Ministerial Award

Sokcho City, Gangwon Province (Mayor Lee Byungseon), will receive an organization ministerial award in recognition of achieving zero spring wildfires for seven consecutive years. Park Seongyeol, head of the city's wildfire suppression team who led prevention activities and initial response at the scene, will also receive a ministerial award from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Lee Byung-sun, mayor of Sokcho City, is delivering a greeting speech at the launch ceremony of the Spring 2026 Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Squad Watchers. Provided by Sokcho City

According to Sokcho City on October 6, Korea Forest Service wildfire statistics show that from 2020 to June 17 of this year, a total of 392 wildfires occurred in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. During this period, Sokcho was the only one of the 18 cities and counties in the province that recorded zero wildfires.

The city has activated its wildfire response system early each year, combining round-the-clock surveillance with inspections of fire hazards that may exist in daily life. This year, from January 1 to May 31, the Wildfire Emergency Countermeasure Headquarters situation room and the professional wildfire prevention and suppression team were operated. Starting January 26, daytime and nighttime wildfire watchers were deployed to minimize gaps in surveillance.

The city also reviewed its cooperation system with related organizations. On February 20, it held a wildfire preparedness countermeasure meeting, and on April 8, conducted a simulation training exercise based on a hypothetical wildfire scenario to assess agency-specific readiness.

Field response efforts focused on preventing small fires from spreading into forests. Team leader Park maintained a 24-hour response system, ensuring quick action even against minor fires. He was also recognized for regularly patrolling homes using wood boilers and inspecting for wildfire hazards in everyday life.

In May, the city completed a forest management project to prevent wildfires over a 5-hectare area in the Nohak-dong region. In addition to surveillance and initial suppression, the city also worked to prevent forest fires through forest maintenance activities.

Next year, the city plans to continue operating about 130 suppression team members and watchers, enhance personal firefighting equipment and backpack pumps, upgrade unmanned surveillance cameras, and replace monitoring posts. Joint operation of wildfire suppression helicopters and cooperation with relevant agencies will continue, and the city will also support prevention activities by social groups and village representatives.

Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho, stated, "This award is the result of the dedicated efforts of team members, watchers, relevant agencies, and all citizens on the front lines of wildfire prevention." He added, "Going forward, we will continue close cooperation between the civil sector, government, and military, and maintain thorough preventive measures to protect both citizen safety and our precious forests."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.