Shincheonji Wildfire Prevention Campaign at Gwanaksan, Seoul

 Shincheonji Wildfire Prevention Campaign at Gwanaksan, Seoul

Autumn leaves were at their peak on Gwanaksan, and hikers were already streaming toward the trails. At the station entrance, a group of young volunteers in headbands decorated with "119" was waiting with a quiz, a few prizes, and an important message: a single spark can become a forest fire.

On November 7, the Dongjak branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group, led by branch head Kwak Jong-ryeol, held a wildfire prevention campaign at Exit 1 of Gwanaksan Station in Seoul. The cold snap that arrived on Ipdong, the first day of winter on the traditional calendar, didn't stop them.

Campaign at a Glance

• What: Wildfire prevention campaign
• When: November 7, morning
• Where: Exit 1, Gwanaksan Station, and the Gwanaksan Park area, Seoul
• Organizer: Shincheonji Volunteer Group, Dongjak branch
• Volunteers: 15, mostly young people, working in teams of two or three
• Turnout: More than 50 people in one hour
• Why now: The Korea Forest Service's designated wildfire caution period, which starts this month

Safety Rules, Delivered Through a Quiz

Volunteers introduced wildfire prevention safety rules and action steps to hikers, and invited visitors to a quiz booth where they learned about:

• The main causes of wildfires
• Which direction to evacuate if a fire is spotted

Other volunteers held signs with action tips near the station and encouraged people getting on and off the subway to join in. Hikers who answered the quiz correctly earned snacks and small gifts.

Hands-On Practice With a Spray Extinguisher

One corner of the campaign was set up for practice. After a short explanation of how to use a portable spray-type fire extinguisher, volunteers helped participants spray a model flame prepared in advance by the branch. Trying it with their own hands gave people a clearer idea of what to do in an emergency.

A Wildfire Prevention Kit to Take Home

After finishing the activities, participants received a wildfire prevention kit containing:

• Safety rules and action steps
• Bamboo tissue
• Snacks

What Participants Said

Heo Seung-jun, a 60-year-old Gwanak-gu resident who hikes often, said she already knew how important wildfire prevention is and appreciated seeing a campaign on this scale. She added that having volunteers step up to explain things made the effort feel more meaningful, since it's hard to do alone even with good intentions.

Choi Sun-ja, a 70-year-old Gwanak-gu resident, said she keeps a fire extinguisher at home and tries to be careful with fire every day. Still, she said she only learned that day that a small ember can spread into a large fire. She also found it useful to learn that bamboo tissue is more eco-friendly than regular tissue and helps protect forests.

Why Wildfire Prevention Matters

About 70 percent of South Korea's land is mountainous. The large wildfires in the Gyeongbuk region in March 2025 showed how one small mistake can damage nature and take away the livelihoods of local residents.

The Dongjak branch's campaign was about more than urging people to be careful with fire. Its goal was to remind everyone that protecting the forests close to our daily lives is also how we keep a comfortable life for ourselves.

Looking Ahead

Even in freezing weather, the young volunteers drew a steady stream of hikers, and participants came away saying the time was enjoyable and useful. As the wildfire caution period continues, small steps like these, from knowing how to use an extinguisher to taking a few minutes to learn the rules, can help keep Korea's mountains safe.

This campaign was originally reported by Cheonji Ilbo (Newscj) on November 8, 2026.

Reference: Cheonji Ilbo (Newscj), "때 이른 한파 뚫고 모인 청년들… 신천지자원봉사단 산불 예방 캠페인" (Young Volunteers Brave an Early Cold Snap: Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Wildfire Prevention Campaign), November 8, 2026. https://vo.la/0PfYa5L