Anybody who carries lighters or matches while on a mountain or in farmland vulnerable to wildfires can be fined up to 500,000 won ($407), the government said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Security said the fine will also be levied on those who start fires in the forest or on farmland, or those caught carrying lighters or matches while climbing a mountain, as tougher measures for the prevention of wildfires that occur frequently during dry seasons like these.

The ministry said it will operate a four-day special alert against forest fires starting this Saturday on the occasion of the first full moon of the lunar new year, which falls on a Monday.

It said more than 6,000 firefighting personnel will be on standby or be deployed at places vulnerable to wildfires during the special alert period.

Meanwhile, the ministry has already sent some 4.2 billion won in subsidies to each province and metropolitan city to effectively cope with wildfires and to eradicate inflammables in farmland or mountains.

According to the ministry, some 22,000 people will also be working as forest rangers to put out wildfires before they burn out of control.

Under the present law, those who are found responsible for forest fires that endanger public safety are put in jail for up to three years or fined up to 15 million won. (Yonhap)