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Wildland Fire Conference kicks off in Pyeongchang

About 3,000 foreign officials, experts to discuss effective forest fire control

By KH디지털2

Published : Oct. 11, 2015 - 17:26

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The sixth International Wildland Fire Conference kicks off in Pyeongchang on Monday, drawing thousands of participants to address the global initiative on protecting natural and cultural heritages from fire.

Some 3,000 foreign officials and experts in natural disaster, forest and culture from 80 nations, including Margareta Wahlstrom, first special representative of the U.N. secretary-general for disaster risk reduction and the head of UNISDR, will participate in the international wildland fire summit.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn congratulated Asia’s first hosting of the IWFC, emphasizing the importance of investment in fire control for public safety.

This year’s WFC runs from Oct. 12-16 at Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, with the theme “Fire of the Past, Fire in Future.”

For the five-day global event, the co-organizers -- the Korea Forest Service and Gangwon Province -- arranged a grand-opening and finale, a general meeting, plenary meetings, regional conferences and a global conference. 

The file photo shows a firefighting demonstration at the previous conference in 2011 in Sun City, South Africa. KFS The file photo shows a firefighting demonstration at the previous conference in 2011 in Sun City, South Africa. KFS


The KFS and its aviation unit set up a promotional exhibition for the public, offering opportunities to experience the technology of firefighting of past, present and future.

The KFS’s exhibition also introduces the history of Korea’s cultural heritage of fire and firefighting, which traces back to the early Joseon era. With about 65 percent of the Korean Peninsula being mountainous, Joseon firefighters have created a number of advanced policies on firefighting, fire prevention and restoration system.

In addition to the automated fire-control systems and database of these days, the KFS’ exhibition also offers a peep into the firefighting technology of the future through trick arts generated by drones.

One of the event’s highlights is the helicopter firefighting drill -- performed by 300 on-site experts on 15 helicopters -- scheduled for Wednesday, the third day of the IWFC. The drill will be demonstrated by a joint dream team of the KFS aviation unit, the Defense Ministry, Police, the Public Safety Ministry firefighting unit and the municipality of Pyeongchang.

In addition, a variety of exhibitions, field trip, cultural events and tourist programs have been organized, adding to the splendor of the international big event. Visitors are welcome to join handcraft sessions for press flower and soap-making using all-natural materials.

A number of university students were also given the precious opportunity to present their theses on wildland fire to the global authorities.

“We wish the exhibitions will lead to an increase in the public interest on fire, as well as the number of thriving fire-related businesses that contribute to the wildland firefighting policies at home and abroad,” said KFS Minister Shin Won-sop, after taking a tour of the KFS’ exhibition.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)