The organisation of fire protection in disaster areas using as an example the case of Bialowieza Forest

Abstract

The Bialowieza Forest is particularly precious, considering environmental aspects, forest land where recently an outbreak of bark beetle (Ips typograpus) took place on an unprecedented scale leading to disintegration of spruce stands. This phenomenon of a calamitous nature led to the increase of forest fire risk level due to appearance of large volume of dead wood and grassy cover as the results of the canopy openness. The grassy cover, when over-dried, is extremely flammable and conducive to fire outbreak and rapid fire behaviour. Before the outbreak of bark beetle (June 2012) the whole area of Bialowieza Forest (Forest District Białowieża, Brwosk, Hajnówka and Bialowieza National Park) was characterised by a low fire risk (on a three-level scale). The three forest districts manage their forest using the regular management plan for the rest of Poland while Bialowieza National Park is under strict protection. The forest fire protection system in place was a standard one, in compliance with the legal requirements laid down for this level of risk to managed forests. It does not include the current risk and the adaptation of the existing fire protection system for Bialowieza Forest is then indispensable and must be adequate to the actual risk. The unique environmental value of that region must be considered as well during that process.