As South Korea faces one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history, with fires in Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk burning over 166 times the size of Yeouido and causing dozens of casualties, the need for prevention has never been more urgent. In response, local communities and organisations are stepping up—and Shincheonji Volunteer Group is one of them.

On January 27th, members of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Eastern Busan Branch launched a wildfire prevention campaign at Daecheon Park. Their goal was simple but powerful: remind people that “Prevention is the best protection” when it comes to wildfires.

Armed with informative flyers and signs, volunteers spoke with hikers and local residents, sharing safety tips and what to do in case of a fire. Their message hit home - especially after recent wildfires have shown how quickly centuries-old forests can vanish in minutes due to a single careless act.

According to Korea’s Forest Service, the most common causes of wildfires are human negligence - campfires, burning litter, and even cigarette butts. That’s why awareness campaigns like this matter so much.

A Daecheon park official who viewed the wildfire photo exhibition expressed his support for the campaign's timeliness, saying, “Daecheon Park is a place with a lot of hikers, so the risk of forest fires is always a concern. I think this forest fire prevention campaign is absolutely necessary.”

In a time when natural disasters are on the rise, it’s encouraging to see local groups take meaningful action. Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s wildfire prevention campaign is a reminder that simple efforts - like handing out flyers, picking up litter, and having honest conversations - can go a long way in protecting our shared future.