Scientific publications

It is demonstrated how the natural wild fire regimes of the past millennia have depended on the landscape characteristics. To this end, stratigraphic analysis of peat deposits (with fire layers dated) was used. Fire frequencies and spreading patterns vary among geographic landscape types most widely. In this context, official statistical data on the number, total and average area of fires in Karelia over 1956–2019 are presented. An outstandingly wide variation of these parameters among years was detected. An attempt is made to explain its causes. We show that the primary factor for the start and spread of wild fires in the weather conditions not only during the fire season in general, but also in individual periods of the summer. On the other hand, a reduction in forest fire frequency over the past decades is due to improvements in the system of fire detection and control.
Nonetheless, in some abnormally dry seasons, the values of the above parameters would mount. A record was observed in 1959, when 1872 fires happened and over 97 223 ha burnt down, while the amounts in some other years e. g., 2017, were 35 and 92, respectively. The current situation was analysed as applied to the landscape characteristics of the region. A comparison of two areas (each ca. 1.3 million ha) showed that the number of fires and their total and average sizes differed 3–4-fold (in the period from 1992 to 2019). A conclusion of practical value made as a result is that fire prevention, detection, and extinction facilities should be concentrated in certain areas rather than be spread evenly over the region.