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Evdokimenko M. D., Ivanov V. V. Specifics of Fire-Preventing Arrangements in the Forests of Baikal Region

Authors:
Keywords:
fire danger, fire resistance, fire-preventing arrangements, thinning, forests of Baikal region
Pages:
63–75

Abstract

How to cite: Evdokimenko M. D., Ivanov V. V. Specifics of fire-preventing arrangements in the forests of Baikal region // Sibirskij Lesnoj Zurnal (Sib. J. For. Sci.). 2017. N. 5: 63–75 (in Russian with English abstract).

DOI: 10.15372/SJFS20170506

© Evdokimenko M. D., Ivanov V. V., 2017

Fire risk in major forest types and concomitant vegetation complexes across all altitudinal belts has been analyzed. High fire risk in woodlands is determined by domination of light needle coniferous stands in their structure and specific climate with continuous spring-summer droughts. Thus, the risk of landscape wildfires is high. The most drastic situations occur in very dry years of climatic cycles during forest pyrogenic anomalies when fire spreads across the main landscapes in several nature areas. Current fire-frequency is incompatible with high biosphere status of nature complex of Lake Baikal as an object of the World nature heritage. Extensive forest exploitation is unacceptable as well. Fire-prevention measures in the area require modernization. According to the results of many years of comparative studies of fire risk in phytocenoses with different species composition and structure of tree layers, the techniques of making fire stopping barriers were developed. The scheme of dividing the managed forests into isolated cells separated by special obstacles and fire-resistant forest borders combined with commonly used fire barriers is suggested. Fire-resistant barriers should be formed on both sides of main roads, passing through the intensively exploited woodlands dominating with common pine Pinus sylvestris L., Siberian stone pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Siberian spruce Picea obovata Ledeb., and Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. tree species. Such barriers are intended to stop the fire front of crown fires. The barrier width is determined by the cell order. The barriers are bordered with clearings with scarified soil strips of 3–4 meters in width. Trees and shrubs damaged in the process are removed during clutter cleaning. In places where the barrier passes through coniferous tree stands longitudinal corridors with scarified soil strips every 20–30 meters should be made. Reforestation and thinning are supposed to be combined with the area fire preventing arrangements. 


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