[DiaryPoint | Reporter Kim Jeong-hun] South Korea is stepping up patrols near forests to prevent fall wildfires. Fire-service drones will be deployed when the wildfire alert reaches the “Alert” level or higher. During dry-weather and high-wind advisories, preventive patrols will increase from once to three times a day.
The measures announced by the National Fire Agency will run from November 1 to December 15, 2026. Patrols will focus on the high-risk period from 6 to 8 p.m. and will also look for fire hazards such as illegal burning near forests.
Drones deploy when the wildfire alert reaches “Alert”
Drone monitoring will not operate continuously throughout the wildfire prevention season; it is activated when the wildfire alert reaches “Alert” or higher. The plan is to increase patrols when dry or windy conditions prompt advisories, then add drone monitoring if the risk rises further.
If a fire breaks out, fire services, the Korea Forest Service and local governments will coordinate from the outset. When a fire is reported at a facility near a forest, responders will request a joint response from the relevant agencies and share information from the scene to keep the flames from spreading into nearby woodland.
Trail closures vary by mountain, so check before you go
The announcement of wildfire-prevention measures does not mean that every hiking trail across the country is closed. The Korea National Park Service posts closure zones and dates for each park separately. In a notice dated November 3, the service said some trails in Gyeryongsan National Park would be closed from November 15 through December 15.
Before hiking in a national park, check the “Safe Park Visits” section of the Korea National Park Service website for closure information, along with notices from the park you plan to visit. A mountain may have both open and closed sections, so a route you used before may not be open this time.
If you spot a wildfire or smoke, note the location and call 119, South Korea’s emergency number. If the fire could spread toward you, evacuate in a safe direction instead of trying to put it out. Residents near forests should avoid burning trash or farm waste and keep an eye on embers and flammable materials around wood-burning boilers.
The fall wildfire prevention and response measures will remain in effect through December 15. Patrol and monitoring operations will vary according to dry-weather and high-wind advisories and the wildfire alert level; national park trail closures will be announced separately by each park.