Spatial and Temporal Variability of Forest Floor Moisture Characteristics and Their Influence on Wildfires in Western Siberia over 2016–2021.

Autor: Kharyutkina, E. V., Moraru, E. I.
Zdroj: Atmospheric & Oceanic Optics; Apr2023, Vol. 36 Issue 2, p169-175, 7p
Abstrakt: The spatial and temporal variability of forest floor moisture characteristics is analyzed on the basis of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Indices (CFFWIS) for the territory of Western Siberia (45°–75° N, 60°–90° E) over 2016–2021 for the first time. The floor moisture effect on the number of wildfires (hotspots) during the warm season (March–October) is assessed. The results are given for different natural zones. Statistically significant correlations are found between hotspots and floor moisture at a depth of 7 cm only in certain spring and summer months (correlation coefficient is up to 0.54). The strongest effect (correlation coefficient is up to 0.60) on wildfires is observed for floor moisture at a depth of 1.2 cm in the south of Western Siberia in April. Thus, we can conclude that the forest floor moisture is an important parameter in description of conditions for fire initiation and development. However, its effect on the behavior of wildfires requires additional studies with accounting for meteorological and atmospheric conditions. The results can be used for forecasting the potential fire danger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
Externí odkaz: