Shincheonji Songha Church Acts to Prevent Wildfires

As 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 organizations are stepping up—and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Songha Church in Gwangju, is one of them.

On April 6, members of Shincheonji Songha Church (Peter Tribe) launched a wildfire prevention campaign across popular hiking trails and parks in the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do areas. Their goal was simple but powerful: remind people that “Prevention is the best protection” when it comes to wildfires.

The campaign was held at key locations including:

• Mudeungsan National Park entrance (Gwangju)

• Manyeonsan Eco Park (Hwasun)

• Dongguri Lake Park

• Geumseongsan Trail (Naju)

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, 210 wildfires occurred in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions over the past five years. The most common causes? Human negligence—campfires, burning trash, and even cigarette butts. That’s why awareness campaigns like this matter so much.

For some volunteers, this wasn’t just about good deeds—it was personal.

“I joined because my parents’ hometown in Hampyeong was hit by a huge fire two years ago,” said Lee Gayoung, a 24-year-old from Gwangju. “The entire village turned to ashes. I’ve seen the destruction with my own eyes, so I wanted to help others understand the danger and how they can help prevent it.”

After the campaign, the volunteers didn’t stop there. They cleaned nearby walking trails and parks, collecting litter and helping restore the environment as part of their message: prevention isn’t just about stopping fire—it’s about caring for nature every day.

A church representative shared, “This campaign was especially meaningful during this dry spring season when wildfire risk is high. We will continue to work with the community to protect both lives and the environment.”

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

Source: https://vo.la/bWbUSg