The cause of the forest fire that burned 260 hectares in Hamjisan, Nokgok-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, is presumed not to be natural ignition. Authorities plan to request an investigation from the police to find the igniter. The forest fire occurred in a prohibited entry zone, and if the igniter is caught, they generally receive heavier punishment than if it were due to natural causes.
Kim Jeong-gi, acting mayor of Daegu, noted during a briefing held at the Joya branch of Seobyeon Elementary School in Buk-gu on the afternoon of the 29th, 'The cause of this forest fire is under investigation in cooperation with Buk-gu, the fire department, and the police,' adding, 'We plan to request an investigation from the police for the swift apprehension of the forest fire perpetrator.'
Kim noted, '(The possibility of) natural ignition as the cause of this forest fire is quite low according to experts.' He added, 'We will thoroughly identify the cause of the forest fire and strengthen monitoring to prevent such fires in the future.'
The forest fire ignited around 2:01 p.m. the previous day on the 9th ridge of Hamjisan. The first reporter was someone from a farm quite far away from the ignition point. The city of Daegu issued an administrative order prohibiting entry to major mountains, including Hamjisan, on the 1st. If it were not due to natural ignition, it means someone entered a prohibited area and started a fire.
A Buk-gu official regarding the ignition point stated, 'It is not a frequently used hiking trail by residents, but rather a very narrow farm road. If you go up that road, it connects to the mountain,' adding, 'it is a very small path used by farmers who have business there or residents of the area, as well as those going to the mountain.' He continued, 'We cannot place officials there to monitor and prevent entry into the mountain.'