Chuseok holiday wildfire prevention awareness period, September 19–27 — fines of up to 2 million won for lighting fires in forests
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Korea Forest Service is running a Chuseok holiday wildfire prevention awareness period from September 19 to 27, 2026. Under the Forest Disaster Prevention Act, lighting a fire or carrying fire into a forest or an area adjacent to a forest carries a fine of up to 2 million won.
Key facts
| Awareness period | September 19–27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fine (lighting a fire) | Up to 2 million won for lighting a fire or carrying fire into a forest or an area adjacent to a forest |
| Fine (smoking) | Up to 700,000 won for smoking or discarding cigarette butts |
| Fine (possession) | Up to 300,000 won for carrying fire sources or flammable materials |
| Emergency system | A 24-hour emergency response system maintained between the Central Forest Disaster Situation Room and regional wildfire situation rooms |
| On-site measures | Wildfire monitoring staff concentrated around major cemetery parks and hiking trails, advance checks on the operating condition of firefighting facilities and suppression equipment, and wildfire suppression helicopters and ground crews on emergency standby |
| Reporting | Korea Forest Service Central Forest Disaster Situation Room at 042-481-4119, or the Smart Forest Disaster (스마트산림재난) app |
| Inquiries | Korea Forest Service, Wildfire Prevention Division (산불방지과) 042-481-4255 |
Last checked:
The Korea Forest Service (산림청) announced on September 16, 2026 that it will run a wildfire prevention awareness period from September 19 to 27, 2026 ahead of the Chuseok holiday, and will maintain a 24-hour emergency response system linking the Central Forest Disaster Situation Room (중앙산림재난상황실) and regional wildfire situation rooms. The agency said it is carrying out the “2026 Chuseok Holiday Wildfire Prevention Plan” because the number of people entering forests for grave clearing and ancestral grave visits is expected to rise over the holiday and many clear, dry days are forecast. Wildfire monitoring staff will be concentrated around major cemetery parks and hiking trails to strengthen guidance and enforcement against illegal burning, the handling of fire sources and other behavior that raises wildfire risk, and the operating condition of firefighting facilities and suppression equipment will be checked in advance. Under the Forest Disaster Prevention Act (산림재난방지법), lighting a fire or carrying fire into a forest or an area adjacent to a forest carries a fine of up to 2 million won, smoking or discarding cigarette butts a fine of up to 700,000 won, and carrying fire sources or flammable materials a fine of up to 300,000 won.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What should I watch out for when visiting or clearing family grave sites?
The Korea Forest Service asked people heading into the mountains to visit or clear family grave sites not to light fires and not to carry fire sources or flammable materials. Violations carry a fine of up to 2 million won for lighting a fire or carrying fire in, up to 700,000 won for smoking or discarding cigarette butts, and up to 300,000 won for carrying fire sources or flammable materials.
Where do I report a wildfire?
Report it to the Korea Forest Service Central Forest Disaster Situation Room (042-481-4119) or through the Smart Forest Disaster (스마트산림재난) app.