FACTORS DETERMINING THE OCCURRENCE AND THE SPREAD OF FOREST FIRES IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

UDC 614.841.42:630(476)

Goman Pavel Nikolaevich – PhD (Engineering), Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, the Department of Industrial Safety. University of Civil Protection of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (25, Mashinostroiteley str., 220118, Minsk, Republic of Belarus). E-mail: g-pn83@mail.ru

DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.52065/2519-402Х-2024-276-3.

Key words: forest fire, natural ecosystems, combustion products, global warming, fire protection.

For citation: Goman P. N. Factors determining the occurrence and the spread of forest fires in the Republic of Belarus. Proceedings of BSTU, issue 1, Forestry. Nature Management. Processing of Renewable Resources, 2024, no. 1 (276), pp. 22–30 (In Russian). DOI: 10.52065/2519-402Х-2024-276-3.

Abstract

Forest fires are natural disasters that negatively affect natural ecosystems, ecology and the environment. As a result of fires, significant economic and social damage is inflicted, flora and fauna are destroyed. The forest fund of the Republic of Belarus, due to its species and type composition, is extremely fire hazardous. The structure and supply of forest combustible material, its natural predisposition to ignite and maintain the combustion process contribute to the occurrence of fires and their development. The most difficult situation with forest fires develops in the fire season, when weather conditions contribute to the emergence and development of combustion. In addition, in areas of the forest fund that have been exposed to radioactive contamination as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in the conditions of limited forestry activities, there is a process of accumulation of combustible materials, which increases the risk of major fires. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the main natural factors affecting the forest fire situation are precipitation, wind, air temperature and terrain. Precipitation determines the moisture content of forest combustible material and its ability to ignite. Wind speeds up the spread of fire. Ambient temperature in combination with global climate warming affect the occurrence and duration of the fire season. The terrain, depending on the steepness of the slope, can both increase the intensity of burning and lower it. The complex impact of these factors has a decisive influence on the occurrence and development of forest fires in the Republic of Belarus.

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21.10.2023