The National Fire Agency announced it will issue a 'warning' level fire risk alert nationwide starting at 10 a.m. on the 4th. This is a measure taken in response to the increase in fire incidents during the recent heat wave.
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that the daily average number of fire incidents in the 10 days leading up to the first heat wave warning issued on June 29 was 71. However, after the issuance of the heat wave warning, the daily average increased to 98, marking a 38% rise.
The fire risk alert consists of three levels: caution, warning, and serious. The warning level is issued when at least three regions have two weather alerts or one alert during important event times.
Hong Young-geun, director of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the National Fire Agency, said, "It is necessary to avoid multi-tap overloads and octopus-style electrical usage and to develop a habit of unplugging unused electronic devices from outlets."