The National Fire Agency said it issued a nationwide fire risk alert at the "caution" level starting at 10 a.m. on the 12th. Fire risk alerts are issued in the order of advisory, caution, and serious. The National Fire Agency judged that as severe cold snaps repeat and persist, the use of heating devices has increased and so has the risk of fires.
Winter (December to February of the following year) is a period with many fires. Over the past five years (2021–2025), there were a total of 54,421 winter fires, accounting for 28.2% of the total. In particular, from December, when cold wave crisis alerts are issued, fires increased 20% and deaths increased 42% compared with the previous month.
The National Fire Agency said that with the fire risk alert at the "caution" level, it will publicize safe-use rules for winter heating devices and strengthen safety management for old single-family homes and apartments.
Kim Seung-ryong, acting commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said, "Please strictly follow basic safety rules such as not using folded electric mats or heating wires, not using overloaded power strips, and cutting power to unused electric heaters," and added, "We ask that households and fire-prone facilities check heating devices and electrical equipment once more."