Jeju Records 769 Winter Fires Over Five Years; Introduces Resident-Requested Joint Safety Inspections

【Financial News, Jeju = Jeong Yong-bok】At least one in four fires in Jeju over the past five years occurred during winter, according to the data. Jeju Province will introduce a system under which fire, electrical and gas agencies jointly check for hazards when residents apply directly for fire safety inspections of their homes and other properties.
According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters on the 2nd, a total of 769 fires occurred during the winter months—from December through February of the following year—between 2021 and 2025. That averages 153.8 fires a year and accounts for 26.7% of the 2,878 fires overall.
Winter had the most fires of any season, with 769. It was followed by spring with 749, autumn with 713 and summer with 647.
The causes of the fires varied. Carelessness accounted for the largest share of winter fires, at 43.7%, while electrical factors made up 27.0%. Discarded cigarette butts and unattended embers, cooking, and faulty electrical wiring were identified as major risk factors.
By location, there were 125 fires outdoors, 113 in detached houses, 74 at warehouse facilities and 64 in apartment buildings. Fire deaths occurred relatively often in detached houses, while injuries were relatively common in both detached houses and apartment buildings, underscoring the importance of safety management in residential facilities.
In response, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters is implementing winter fire-prevention measures for four months, from the 1st through February 28 next year. It has set a goal of reducing fire deaths from two last winter to one or fewer this winter.

The key measure is the pilot introduction of a resident-request system for fire safety inspections. The system adds a resident-application option to the existing inspections led by fire agencies, allowing residents to have hazards at their homes and other properties checked directly. Fire, electrical and gas agencies that receive applications will conduct joint inspections and provide tailored safety consultations.
Unannounced inspections will also be conducted at aging apartment buildings, factories and warehouses, facilities serving older people and people with disabilities, large construction sites, and hazardous-material facilities. Any legal violations or deficiencies in safety management found will be addressed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
The government also held a meeting of relevant agencies, led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, on October 28 and finalized nationwide winter fire safety measures. The plan calls for focused inspections of traditional markets, aging homes, nursing hospitals and logistics warehouses, and for maintaining a 24-hour response system throughout winter.
One point to note in Jeju is the risk of fires after winter. Over the past five years, March had the most fires of any month, with 268. December followed with 266, January with 260 and November with 256. This points to the need to continue fire-prevention efforts after February, when the intensive winter measures end.
“It is important to put safety into practice in everyday life, including using heating equipment and electrical appliances safely and learning evacuation procedures in advance with your family,” said Park Jin-su, chief of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters.


[email protected] Jeong Yong-bok Reporter