Abstract:
This work investigates the
relationship between the occurrence of large
forest fires (more than 1,000 ha) and
meteorological data. Specifically, it analyzes
the characteristics of large forest fires in July
2007 (2,500 ha) and October 2019 (2,108 ha)
in Serbia’s Stara Planina Nature Park (NP).
The results show that at these times, forest
fires occurred during long heatwaves with
low relative humidity and high air
temperature. Dry climatic conditions in the
preceding months also contributed to the
occurrence of large forest fires, alongside the
presence of wind. The study uses climate
indices based on the combination of air
temperature and precipitation. Forest drought
index (FAI) data show that 2007 and 2019
were drier than the 1961–1990 climate
period. According to the Lang Precipitation
Factor Index (AILang), the periods June–July
2007 and July–October 2019 can be
classified as dry. The De Martonne Drought
Index (ImDM) shows that July 2007 and
October 2019 had the characteristic of
areism. These were also the periods when
large wildfires were recorded. The results of
this study could be used for wildfire risk
assessment in protected areas and for fire
prevention and suppression planning.
