People in mountainous areas of North Pyongan province are clearing agricultural land by burning vegetation, significantly increasing the risk of forest fires.
A source in North Pyongan province recently reported that people in mountainous regions, including Sakju County, are collecting and burning dry grass and fallen leaves to prepare “slash-and-burn” fields for the farming season.
This cultivation method poses serious wildfire risks, but people dismiss concerns with a careless attitude, saying, “It’s fine as long as fires don’t spread.”
On April 18, an individual in Sakju County’s Cheongsoo Workers’ District nearly caused a forest fire when sparks from land-clearing flames spread beyond the intended area. Nearby residents quickly joined forces to extinguish the fire before it spread.
A forest protection officer who arrived at the scene issued a stern warning, stating that such field burning activities could result in labor training camp punishment and demanding an immediate end to the dangerous practice.
The person who nearly sparked the wildfire defended his actions by claiming the practice was widespread among local farmers and questioned what alternatives were available to them.
Neighbors who had assisted in extinguishing the flames supported the individual, challenging the officer’s threat of severe punishment given that no actual forest fire had occurred.
A source said these incidents continue because burning fields has become a longstanding practice in the region.
North Korea issues annual forest fire prevention notices and has established punishment measures for those who cause fires, but these have failed to raise awareness among the population.
Even when dangerous situations occur, people can avoid consequences by bribing forest protection officers with “a few packs of cigarettes” if no actual forest fire breaks out.
“Most people take the risk lightly because there are so few trees or vegetation on the mountains that they believe fires won’t spread significantly,” the source said, adding that in the Cheongsoo Workers’ District, most mountainous areas have been converted to privately cultivated fields with little forest remaining.
“While people are cautious about political actions or statements, they remain insensitive to forest fire issues,” the source noted. “The risk continues to grow due to low awareness and perfunctory enforcement of regulations.”
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