Tools supporting planning and organizing rescue actions in state forests in Poland as an example of the practical implementation of scientific research
Authors: Szczygieł Ryszard , Kwiatkowski Mirosław , Kaczmarowski Jan 
Published: October 2022

The functioning fire protection system in the State Forests, which covers 76.9% of the forest area in the country, is constantly improved thanks to close cooperation with the Forest Research Institute. The results of the research conducted by the Institute are thus implemented in forestry practice, examples of which are presented in this article. The basis for planning and organizing rescue operations is the assessment of potential forest fire risk, which is carried out using the method of classifying forest areas to the forest fire risk category. It is determined for the forest district (average area 17500 ha) for 10 years on the basis of the frequency of fires, forest stand, climatic and anthropogenic conditions according to the formulas developed for each of the factors. The category determines the distribution of funds for fire protection and the method of forest preparation in the event of a fire, concerning fire detection, communication and alarm systems, the density of fire access roads and water supply points, and fire extinguishing equipment. The macroscopic method of forest fire risk categorization is complemented by the method of forest stand flammability classes, which determines their susceptibility to fire due to the presence of flammable material. It is based on the forest habitat type and soil cover type and is determined at the level of separation (average area 3 ha), with the possibility of generalization to the division (20 ha) and forestry (1300 ha). Both methods are used to map the potential fire risk of forests in Poland. The method of determining the degree of forest fire risk on the basis of air temperature and relative humidity, precipitation and direct measurements of moisture content of pine litter (Pinus sylvestris) is used to assess the dynamic forest fire risk, shaped by weather conditions. Determining the degree of risk is performed from the 1st of March to the 30th of September, daily at 9.00 and 13.00 in 60 forecast zones with the use of an automated network of 145 meteorological measuring points. Information on the degree of risk determines the operational readiness of ground and air forces. In the event of a fire and determination of its forest address, we can download from the Information System of the State Forests, data on the flammability class of the forest stand and the characteristics of the flammable material (type, fuel load), using the developed fuel models for 7 types of soil cover, the fires of which constitute nearly 90 % of all events. The possibility of a soil cover fire turning into a crown fire is determined based on the developed algorithms, taking into account the age of the forest stand, habitat and stand conditions, meteorological conditions and the duration of the fire. Organizing a firefighting action, including in particular having the right amount of forces and resources to extinguish a fire with the smallest possible area, can be supported by the application Model of a forest fire, which the forest service has at its disposal.