Forest Fire Protection in Poland

Potential forest fire danger in Poland The problem concerns about 83% at forest recources in Poland(about 65% in Europe).This danger refers to the area of 7,4 million hectares affect on abiotic, biotic and antropogenic conditions occuring in the country. It is the result of simultaneous influence of many unfavourable factors. They lead to deterioration of forest health and they are the reason of fires.

Abiotic components are parts of the environment that have an influence on living organisms but also on the function of ecosystems.They mainly arise from geographical locaction of Poland. Most of Polish forests are located on sandy soil with high permeability of the rainwater. This is the main cause of fires frequency.

Biotic components there are a lot of pests(eg Biotic components there are a lot of pests(eg.insects) and infection diseases in Poland forests. It has a bad impact on the condition of trees. Antropogenic components They are connected with any form of direct or indirect human impact on environment (forest, plants and animals).

Industrial pollution Air pollution has an influence on the condition of the forests and it is the reason of their destruction and disappearance.Industrial emissions cause damage to the trees.This situation leads to the gaps of the trees that are the best place for grown of grass. Finally, it increases the risk of fire.

The most important factors which influence on the forest fire danger are: a)meteorological conditions, including above all: air temperature, air humidity, atmospheric precipitation, cloudiness,solar radiation. b)humidity of the soil cover c)the possibility of occurring external stimuli capable of initiating a fire ( e.g. a bonfire, a cigarette butt, an unqualified match) d)type of combustible forest materials: species composition and the age of the forest stand.

The risk of the forest fire danger is also affected by: a) the accessibility of relatively impenetrable forest areas (road density, traffic volume) b)tourist attractiveness c)neighbourhood of urban agglomerations and location of manufacturing plants d)condition of forest sanitation,denseness of the trees in the forests and the way of the forest stand usage e)the level of public awareness of safe exploiting the forests in terms of the fire danger f)other local conditions

Types of the fire protection: -fire protection belts: established in the 19th century to protect forests areas from the spread of fires caused by rail transport. There are different types of fire protection belts, for example types A and B. These belts are part of the land that is not covered by any plants or trees and it separates the forests from the railway tracks, where the rail transport operations take place.

In forests water should be provided for fire extinguishing and it should be stored in more than two tanks. In addition, it should be located in easily accessible place. Water supply

Fire-fighting aircrafts The use of aircrafts to fight a fire in forests is connected with suitable position of landing grounds.This solution is very expensive and less effective.

Terrestial observation points are the basic way of detecting fires in forests. These places create observation points from which forest areas can be observed in order to detect fires and to transfer the information about them. Observation and television towers play an important role in this case.

Fire roads are built to easier reach the fire in the forests Fire ground patrols are used to: -detect and extinguish fires in their early phase -supervise the actions of people who are in the forest

Fire Claims The consequences of forest fire is destroyed or partially destroyed forest and this situation is connected with financial losses. In case of big fires this element becomes dangerous also for inhabitants of this area and finally it leads to the evacuation of people.

Bibliography: https://www.ibles.pl/documents/17150/28287/Sytuacja%20po%C5%BCarowa%20w%20Polsce dr inż. Barbara Ubysz dr inż. Ryszard Szczygieł dr inż. Józef Piwnicki http://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.agro-b33eec0d-e9a4-47fe-a6a7-5beb88fb492e/c/Prawne_aspekty_ochrony_przeciwpo_arowej_lasow_w_Polsce.pdf dr inż. Jarosław Zarzycki http://bip.lasy.gov.pl/pl/bip/px_~instrukcja_p_poz_lasy.pdf Małgorzata Haze http://budujesz.info/porady_serwisu/porada/szkodniki-drzew-lesnych.html

Authors: -Diana Lesiak Gimnazjum im. Kacpra Fodygi w Chęcinach klasa IIIc -Małgorzata Błaszczyk Gimnazjum im. Kacpra Fodygi w Chęcinach klasa IIIc -Mateusz Ziara Gimnazjum im. Kacpra Fodygi w Chęcinach klasa IIIc