Successive long weekends has been much awaited for both young and old especially for this family month of May. Korea Forest Service advises to take extra precautions for the late spring fires, expecting the increase in forest visitors and hikers.


Records show that the average number fires occurred during the 2 public holidays, the Children''s day and the Buddha''s Birthday, reaches 23 incidents. The fire hazard is much greater this year considering that both holidays fall on Mondays extending the weekends.


Especially, the holidays are just in season for spring blossoms which naturally attracts people to the mountains. 88% of fires in this season are caused by carelessness of the forest visitors. The hazards increase with temple activities, lantern festivals, other shamanism practices as well.


Korea Forest Service will station extra agents for forest fire prevention in major attractions and parks. Aerial advisory broadcasting will be carried out while helicopter and aerial crew will be effectively stationed in prone areas.