Investigation into Wildfire Underway

The thick forest of trees is enveloped in smoke.
Firefighters are battling against the wildfire.
This is the scene of a wildfire that broke out in the forest near (고근산) Gogeunsan Mountain in (서호동) Seoho-dong, Seogwipo City, around 1:30 PM on the 8th of last month.


Strong winds and dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the wildfire, and the fire was extinguished after burning about 2,000 square meters of forest and about 80 pine trees near (고근산) Gogeunsan Mountain.


It's been about a month since the wildfire broke out, but the scars of that time remain on the site.
It was a cigarette butt that caused the fire.


The Jeju Provincial Police Agency booked a 54-year-old man, surnamed A, who caused the fire by throwing a cigarette butt, on charges of violating the Forest Protection Act.


Police have discovered several flammable materials including thinner and paint at the site where the man threw the cigarette butt, therefore their investigation is focusing on whether the suspect deliberately made fire.

INTERVIEW
Jeon Jae-hyeon / Seogwipo office, Jeju Provincial Police Agency
The fire caused by a cigarette butt spread to nearby pine tree forest, which could have been fueled by pine tree resin. We're seeing if the suspect deliberately started the fire as flammable substances were discovered in the area where the fire ignited. After investigation, we will send the case to the prosecution.


It is advised to pay special attention to the potential for wildfires as the risk of these wildfires increases across the country due to the dry weather.



고근산 산불 낸 50대 입건…고의성 여부 수사



The thick forest of trees is enveloped in smoke.
Firefighters are battling against the wildfire.
This is the scene of a wildfire that broke out in the forest near (고근산) Gogeunsan Mountain in (서호동) Seoho-dong, Seogwipo City, around 1:30 PM on the 8th of last month.


Strong winds and dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the wildfire, and the fire was extinguished after burning about 2,000 square meters of forest and about 80 pine trees near (고근산) Gogeunsan Mountain.


It’s been about a month since the wildfire broke out, but the scars of that time remain on the site.
It was a cigarette butt that caused the fire.


The Jeju Provincial Police Agency booked a 54-year-old man, surnamed A, who caused the fire by throwing a cigarette butt, on charges of violating the Forest Protection Act.


Police have discovered several flammable materials including thinner and paint at the site where the man threw the cigarette butt, therefore their investigation is focusing on whether the suspect deliberately made fire.

INTERVIEW
<인터뷰 : 전재현 / 서귀포자치경찰대 수사관>
"담배꽁초로 인해 산림에 번진 불이 인근 해송까지 옮겨붙어서 송진 가루로 인해 더 큰 화재로 번질 수 있었고 현재 담배꽁초 발화 추정지에 인화물질이 있어서 고의성 여부를 추가 검토해 검찰 송치 예정입니다."


It is advised to pay special attention to the potential for wildfires as the risk of these wildfires increases across the country due to the dry weather.