EcoLur
In recent years the number of forest fires has increased in Armenia. As “National Policy on Fire Management in Forest Land Areas, Specially Protected Areas of Nature, Agricultural Land Areas and Grass-Covered Residential Areas and Its Implementation Strategy”, if the average number of forest fires for 2001-2009 is 7, this indicator for 2010-2011 is 50.
The annual average number of fires recorded in grass-covered areas for 2010-2011 increased about 5 times as compared with the average indicator for 2004-2009.
Under the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the damage caused to forests with fires for 2005-2010 accounted for 504 million AMD, out of which 500.2 million AMD was caused only in 2006.
The main cause of fires in grass-covered areas is burning down the remainders of dry plants in fields and pastures, from where uncontrollable fire spreads to nearby forests.
The highest number of fires was recorded during the heatwaves from July to September. As compared with 1948-1980, the number of heatwaves for 1980-2012 increased annually by 40%.
February 02, 2015 at 14:02