North Korea is in the midst of one of the driest springs on record, which is causing the outbreak of a number of forest fires. More than one hundred such fires of various sizes occurred in the country between April 12th and 14th, according to the Korea Centre for Atmospheric Environment Research (KCAER).
KCAER released the results of its analysis of satellite photos in a presentation this afternoon.
Delivering the presentation, KCAER head Jong Yong Seung explained, “The results of our analysis of U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite photos show that fires are burning around Hamheung, Jeongpyeong and Wonsan in South Hamkyung Province, focused on the hills,” and added, “The smoke from these fires has travelled as far as the area around the Japanese archipelago.
“Forest fires in North Korea will spread even more as a result of the dry southwesterly wind,” Jong also predicted.
On this, one defector explained, “In North Korea, the method of extinguishing forest fires is to excavate land and remove trees to try and block their progress. Small fires can be extinguished, but in the case of big ones they can’t hope to do so.”
On April 4th it was revealed by KCAER that fires had occurred in more than 20 places in North Korea, including around the country’s second missile launch site in Cheolsan County, North Pyongan Province.
