A special report on the findings regarding the spread of large-scale wildfires, identified by a research team led by Professor Lim Chul-Hee of the Department of Forest and Environmental Systems at the College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul), was featured on KBS 9 O’Clock News.

Professor Lim Chul-Hee’s research team analyzed major wildfires that occurred last year using time-series satellite imagery and artificial intelligence techniques to identify environmental factors influencing their spread (First author: Lee Ha-eun, Master’s student in the Department of Climate Technology Convergence, Graduate School). The study revealed that claims suggesting forest roads influence the spread of large-scale wildfires are unfounded, while highlighting that in a specific case (Ulsan), forest roads actually helped contain the fire’s spread.

This research is significant in that it scientifically clarifies and objectively analyzes the controversy surrounding forest roads, which environmental groups have consistently raised. The fact that Korea’s most authoritative media outlet featured this story demonstrates the value of our university’s research team.

Professor Lim Chul-Hee stated, “The major media coverage of this study is highly significant in that it discourages the unscientific reporting previously seen in some media outlets and demonstrates the value of forest roads through objective results and scientific reporting.”

Lee Ha-eun, the lead author of this study, expressed her aspirations, saying, “Going forward, we will continue to approach various issues in the environmental and forestry sectors, including forest roads, based on scientific analysis and objective evidence, thereby contributing to the development of rational and balanced forestry policies.”