Methods for mitigating and minimizing forest fire risks in the Ukrainian forest management system

Abstract

Introduction

Forest fires have become an increasingly critical threat to the ecological stability, biodiversity and socio-economic resilience of Ukraine’s forest ecosystems. The intensification of extreme weather events, prolonged droughts and rising temperatures – highlighted in IPCC and UNEP assessments – has amplified fire danger, particularly in continental regions of Eastern Europe. Ukrainian forests, especially pine stands in Polissya and the Left-Bank region, face accumulating fuel loads, expanding WUI (wildland–urban interface) areas and greater anthropogenic pressure. Although Ukrainian legislation provides a regulatory basis for forest-fire prevention, its practical implementation remains inconsistent, fragmented and insufficiently integrated into forest-management systems. The study aimed to systematize contemporary methods for preventing and minimizing forest fire risks and to substantiate the possibilities for their adaptation to the conditions of forest management in Ukraine.

Materials and Methods

This study applies a structured literature-review methodology following PRISMA and ROSES guidelines, ensuring systematic identification, screening and inclusion of relevant sources. The dataset encompasses international documents (FAO, UNEP, IPCC reports; EFFIS datasets), Ukrainian regulations (Resolutions No. 610–612, National Fire Danger Scale, Fire Safety Rules), and peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar (2000–2024). Sources were categorised into six thematic blocks: climatic drivers of wildfire risk; structural characteristics of forest stands; fuel-load management practices; application and regional adaptation of the Fire Weather Index; GIS-based monitoring and remote sensing; and risk-based management approaches aligned with ISO 31000. Screening was based on relevance, scientific validity and applicability to Ukrainian forest-management conditions.

Results

The analysis shows that systematic fuel-load reduction – mechanical thinning, sanitary logging and prescribed burning – is the most consistently effective method of reducing wildfire intensity and preventing crown-fire development. International case studies demonstrate long-term positive effects of coordinated fuel-management programmes, while Ukrainian data confirm the need for similar measures, particularly in pine-dominated ecosystems. The Fire Weather Index remains the dominant tool for operational assessment of fire danger; however, without regional calibration, it may distort risk levels under Ukrainian climatic and forest-type conditions. GIS-supported monitoring, combined with satellite observations (Sentinel, Landsat, MODIS) and automated early-warning systems, significantly improves the accuracy of risk mapping and early detection. The study highlights the growing influence of infrastructure-related ignition sources – especially power-line corridors and transportation networks – within WUI zones, where the concentration of human assets greatly increases potential losses. Integration of ISO 31000 principles offers a structured pathway for identifying vulnerabilities, prioritising risk-reduction measures and transitioning from reactive suppression to preventive planning.

Conclusions

An effective forest-fire prevention and mitigation system in Ukraine should be built upon several key components: systematic and science-based fuel-load reduction; regionally adapted fire-danger indices; expansion of GIS, remote-sensing and automated early-warning technologies; enhanced management of infrastructure-related risks, especially within WUI zones; and strengthened inter-agency cooperation involving forest authorities, emergency services and local communities. Embedding ISO 31000 risk-management principles into strategic and operational forest planning will enable more proactive, evidence-based decision-making and increase the resilience of Ukrainian forest ecosystems to intensifying climate-driven wildfire threats.

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