Risk management of forest fire occurrence

Abstract This academic paper is devoted to the issue of how to reduce forest fire damage through affecting the fire causes. Forest fire causes are a subject of random probability. Adequate forest management is not possible when there is lack of precise information about when and where a forest fire may occur. When there are no ways and methods to influence the reasons of forest fires occurrence, the likelihood of a wrong decision is directly proportional to the negative consequences of forest fires. The research purpose was to develop mechanisms of risk management taking into account the cause and effect relation between human activities, natural phenomena and occurrence of forest fire. The risk as economic category is the target of the research. The scope of the research encompasses the process of decision-taking in forest management with regards to forest preservation from fires under the conditions of unpredictability. The research was based on a comprehensive approach to the problem and used contemporary regulations of sustainable forest management and global experience in forestry relationship. It was suggested to classify the causes of forest fires in groups. Probability of forest fires occurrence was estimated in accordance with various causes. There was introduced an approach of forest fire risk management based on strategic risk management. The results of the research can be used by scientific institutions, as well as by forestry companies while planning environmental protection measures. The research can proceed towards assessment and forecasting of fire risks in forestry at the national and international levels.