Forestry Ideas

289-301

Authors: Nikolay Stoenchev, Konstantin Kolev, Nasko Iliev, and Yana Hrischeva

A comparative analysis of the rate of return on investments in a fast-growing poplar planta- tion in South Bulgaria and in two-room residential apartments in Sofia (average area 68 sq.m.) (including a room and a bedroom), differentiated by districts has been made. The investigation is based on the concept accepted in the normative basis, which determined these kinds of estates as real. It is motivated by the necessity to reveal suitable and perspective variants for invest- ments, according to the utilities and abilities of a wide range of potential investors. Both static and dynamic methods have been applied for assessment of the rate of return on investments in a medium-period perspective. As a result of the carried out investigations it is determined that the rate of return is 4.01 % and it is expected to raise along with raising of the demand of poplar wood material. The advantage of this kind of investment is that it does not require a large amount of capital; it is ecological and allows using lands in rural areas. The rate of return of investment in residential real estates varies from 6.27 % to 15.26 % depending on the location and the result is always positive.

326-340

Authors: Silviya Lavrova, Stela Georgieva, and Kristina Gartsiyanova

The anthropogenic pollution of the Yantra River was assessed during six year period (2013– 2018) in terms of metals in key sites along the river, pointed near to industrial activities, municipal effluents and pollution from tributaries in the catchment area. The assessment of metal concentrations in the water samples was made in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC – Water Framework Directive and its equivalent criteria transposed into the Water Law in Bulgaria. The results show that the concentrations of metals, such as Hg and Cd, were above the permissible limits of the Bulgarian surface water standard especially in S1 point (the Yantra River near Debe- letz). The application of hierarchical cluster analysis for the interpretation of a large and complex dataset obtained during a monitoring program of surface water in the Yantra River is presented in this study. The hierarchical clustering of data shows a correlation between Fe, Mn, Cr, Mg, Ca, Zn, which proves that the increase of Fe concentration could be mainly related to the increased number of the landfills and the unregulated pollution of the catchment area. The overall quality of the Yantra river water corresponds to the descriptive indicator of ‘very good’ water despite the numerous populated places and industrial activities on the territory of the Yantra River basin. The obtained results would be useful in an in-depth future assessment of the general condition of the Yantra River system.

355-365

Authors: Ekaterina Boyarova, Alexey Andreychev, Irina Kozlova, and Vyacheslav Kuznetsov

Rabic infection currently determines the epidemic and epizootic state in many countries. In this study, we revealed the value of red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) as a carrier of rabies in the forest zone. Altogether, the research was conducted in 22 districts and the city of Saransk during the period from 2009 to 2018. The work uses a comprehensive epizootological analysis, including methods of modern diagnostics, veterinary and sanitary statistics, epizootological examination, as well as other methods generally accepted in epizootology. When determining the boundaries of the risk of rabies virus in the Republic, we found that the main clusters of epizootic foci of infection are located on the territory of Bolsheignatovskiy, Ichalkovskiy, Chamzinskiy and Atyashevskiy districts. It was found that the expansion of the infection zone over the years on the territory of the Republic is associated with the dynamics of the main host of the pathogen – red fox. In our Republic, the population density of foxes varies from 1.1 to 1.6 individuals per 1000 ha. In some areas, it is twice the average. The highest population density was observed in 2010 – 1.6 individuals per 1000 ha. The same year, there was a large proportion (66 %) of infected foxes with rabies, compared to other animals. The first rise of diseases coincides with the period of fox rut (early spring) and the second-with the settlement of young animals (autumn-winter).

380-393

Authors: Halyna Lesiuk, Ihor Soloviy, and Ion Dubovich

Every forest governance model development has unique features and lessons to be learned. The institutional reforms in Ukrainian forestry are still in progress but there is lack of assessment and diagnosis of its impacts on Ukrainian forest governance. This paper provides such an assessment for the current status of the Ukrainian forest governance system, using FAO and PROFOR approach. It is based on the assessment of three fundamental pillars of forest governance (I) policy, legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks, (II) planning and decision-making process- es, and (III) implementation enforcement and compliance. A set of indicators, developed within these pillars, was assessed by 53 experts. The results show that Ukrainian forest governance is far from achieving the status of ‘good forest governance’, and can be described rather as ‘poor forest governance’. However, some positive tendencies such as performing well the functions of planning, organization, and control in the Ukrainian forestry are identified.

404-415

Authors: Panagiotis Michopoulos, Alexandra Solomou, Theodoros Grigoratos, and Constantini Samara

The aim of this work was to assess the availability and uptake of phosphorus in the soils of four forest ecosystems in Greece, i.e. a maquis, a deciduous oak, a beech and a fir forest. The highest concentrations of total P were observed in FH (mixture of F and H) horizons (914 to 1269 mg∙kg-1). In the mineral layers (up to 80 cm depth), the range was 439 to 850 mg∙kg-1. The percentages of the available P with regard to the total P were very low. In the FH horizons, they ranged from 2.4 % in the fir plot to 6.5 % in the beech plot. In the mineral layers, all percentages were less than 1.0 % in all forest types. The concentrations of available P were significantly and positively affected by the contents of soil organic C, total nitrogen and the clay percentage. Negative and significant relations were observed for the ratios P/C, P/N and the percentage of sand, whereas the content of total P did not affect the availability of P significantly. The P uptake by trees was based on the calculation of the above ground litterfall. It was found that, at least for the fir plot, the amounts of available P in soils up to the depth of 20 cm were not enough to cover the tree needs. It is hypothesized that the extra P needed is acquired by the dissolution of secondary minerals by root exudates.

426-434

Authors: Leonid Melezhyk

An effective way to solve the problem of becoming energy more expensive can be found in the use of organic mass of growing woody plants, which are obtained from special energy plantations. Certain positive changes in energy policy in Ukraine in recent years have contributed to a marked increase in the percentage of alternative renewable energy in the energy balance of the country – from 0.5 % of the amount of consumed fuel and energy resources in 1998 to 5.8 % at present. In this paper we evaluated the possibility of obtaining new high-yield willow hybrids based on domestic and foreign cultivars for the creation of energy plantations in the conditions of Polesia and the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Breeding works were carried out as interspecific hybridization. Hybridization was conducted in spring 2018 on the cut branches in the laboratory and on branches inseparable from the bush, on which before the flowering female inflorescences was isolated to prevent uncontrolled pollination. The best of the two-year-old hybrid willow forms we have obtained in the course of our research reach a height of 3.0–3.2 m, which indicates their high biological potential and the potential for use in creating energy plantations.

452-470

Authors: Svetlana Anisimova

The paper considers the potential impact of allergenic pollen urban dendroflora on public health. The aim of the study was to make quantitative and qualitative analysis of urban park woody taxa emitting allergenic pollen in order to increase the awareness of landscape architects and medical practitioners. The case study was conducted in the second largest park in Bulgaria – Sveti Vrach, Sandanski. The town is famous as climatotherapy and spa resort of international importance. The total number of the investigated trees was 2673, and the number of shrub specimens – approximately 2640. The results from the detailed inventory of park dendroflora estimated that the total number of taxa was 199 in terms of species and the infraspecific taxa, belonging to 49 families and 109 genera. Analysis of the systematic structure of the examined specimens was performed. Geographic distribution, reproductive characteristics, foliage permanence, and allergenicity level of taxa were also analysed. Considering the allergenic potential value of tree species, 34.9 % of tree specimens had a high allergenic potential, 10.6 % of tree individuals had a very high allergenicity level, while 4.8 % – a moderate one. As a result, half of all the researched trees (50.2 %) had a moderate to very high allergic potential. The most frequent shrub species had moderate to low/very low alergenicity potential. Only 4.9 % of shrub specimens had a high to very high allergenicity level. Tree density and Diversity Index were also calculated, as factors that most affect the final allergenicity value of the park. Adopted strategies for risk mitigation has been suggested and addressed to future urban greening initiatives and landscape design for achieving biodiversity-friendly green infrastructure and sustainable urban environment.

485-502

Authors: Liubov Ishchuk, Ivan Kosenko, and Halyna Ishchuk

The growth and development of vegetative and generative organs of Populus alba L., P. balsamifera L., P. bolleana Lauche, P. × canescens (Ait.) Smith., Р. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh., P. nigra L., P. nigra cv. Italica (Du Roi) Moench, Р. simonii Corr., P. tremula L., and European-American P. deltoides × P. nigra hybrids ʹI-45/51ʹ, ʹBlanc du Poitouʹ, ʹGelricaʹ, ʹMarilandicaʹ, ʹRobustaʹ, ʹSerotinaʹ, ʹTardif de Champagneʹ, and P. × hybridа clones ʹWeresinaʹ and ʹWitschtejnaʹ were studied outdoor for seven years under current climate change. The development of most Populus species and hybrids started in the second half of March – beginning of April when the phase of bud swelling was reached in correspondence of a significant temperature sum from 68 to 112 °С, depending on the species/hybrid considered. In most species, flowering began on April 20th and lasted 9 to 16 days, temperature sum of 93–139 °С, depending on the species. The duration of linear shoot growth was shorter in native species of the genus Populus (118–130 days) than in introduced species (135–140 days). Fruiting began when the temperature sum reached 217– 234 °С in P. tremula, while in P. balsamifera it required 413 °C. The other species required an intermediate temperature sum (299–329 °С) to reach the same phase, which was accumulated in the first ten-day period of June. Discolouration of leaves depended on the date of first autumn frosts and during the study period was shifted by two to three weeks later. After analyzing the timing of phenological phases of growth and development, species and hybrids were assigned to phenological groups characterized by early, mid or late beginning and end of the vegetation period. The knowledge of thermal requirements for key phenological stages is expected to be useful for modelling and predicting growth, flowering and fruiting of poplars, which is crucial to create efficient and productive bioenergy plantations and to take anti-allergic measures during fruiting in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

514-519

Authors: Marlena Baranowska, Barłomiej Meres, Jolanta Behnke-Borowczyk, and Robert Korzeniewicz

The fruits of the black cherry are food for a variety of different species of animals. Therefore, animals have an important role in the spread of black cherries by zoochory. The aim of this study was to determine how the digested black cherry seeds by the badger (Meles meles) digestive system affects the germination efficiency of these seeds after voiding in the badger’s faeces. It was hypothesized that seeds of black cherries collected from badger faeces will show greater germination efficiency in the first year after sowing than non-stratified seeds, stratified seeds and seeds with an exocarp. Black cherry seeds were collected in autumn 2018 at the Forest Arboretum in Zielonka from badger faeces, which comprised the first treatment group of the experiment and from standing trees, and among these seeds there were further variants of treatment. Seeds collected from standing trees were: without pericarp (treatment group), without pericarp and stratified, not cleaned but stratified and seeds untreated (control sample). The first seedlings to emerge were from seeds collected from badger faeces (206 days after sowing). The seeds with intact pericarp had the longest period of emergence, germinating 221 days after sowing. The highest seed germination capacity was noted for seeds from badger faeces (66.4 %), and the lowest one was observed for seeds sown with intact pericarp (15.2 %). Pericarp inhibits seed germination in the first year after sowing.

528-539

Authors: Fedir F. Markov, Maryna V. Shvets, Andrii O. Pitsil, and Maria S. Gurkova

In this article it is considered the current state of heritage parks of the Zhytomyr region. We conducted an ecological, geographical, phytosociological, and taxonomic analysis of trees and shrubs in 6 parks out of 18, according to Kolesnikov, Takhtajan, Vernander and others. In heritage parks, 71 species and 3 varieties of trees and shrubs were revealed, belonging to 44 genera, 20 families, which come from five floristic regions. The most abundant Magnoliophyta family is Rosaceae, which is represented by 21 species (28.2 % of the total number of species). We analyzed the correspondence of woody plants to the conditions of their growth. A lot of species that did not fit soil types were planted in heritage parks. About 20 % of megatrophs grow in soils with low fertility. More than 84 % of the tree species of the parks belong to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and only one species is endangered. The aesthetic evaluation of plantations is low. We recommend cutting diseased and weakened trees and shrubs, also planting highly decorative bio-groups. It is offered a list of trees and shrubs recommended for planting in old parks in the Zhytomyr region.

549-557

Authors: Denis E. Rumyantsev, Leonid V. Stonozhenko, Ekaterina V. Naidenova, and Anna A. Sirotova

The article considers the issue of establishment and formation of new plantations in forest areas, passing continuous sanitary logging. The evaluation of the reaction of European spruce in stands of various species composition to the different climatic factors impact by analyzing dendroclimatic information has been carried out. It was found out that the least meteosensitivity of spruce is observed in lime stands. Predicting the conditions of Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and spruce stands in general after catastrophic drought of 2010 followed by eight-toothed bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) invasion is of immediate interest now. On the practical side optimization of stand composition according to the reaction to climatic factors is advantageous.

15-29

Authors: Victoria D. Gorbunova, Sergei L. Menschikov, and Sezgin Ayan

Latitude and altitude affect the geographical distribution of plant communities on Earth from the equator to the poles. While latitude has influence on the horizontal distribution, the altitude confines the vertical range of plant communities, shaping the floral composition and their eco-physiological features such as macronutrients that control the growth. In this research, the effects of different altitude gradients on plant macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na) content in leaves of two different birch species (Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth) distributed in the Northern Urals region were investigated for two years. Tree leaves were collected in growing seasons in 2006 and 2008, and all measured macronutrients concentration levels were compared according to altitude and year, respectively. As a result, leaf concentration of N and P were increased by altitude in Downy birch (B. pubescens), while the macronutrient concentration levels were decreased in Silver birch (B. pendula) species. In addition, although concentration of N, P, and K levels changed in both species, the N concentration level was not significantly changed in two years. Moreover, N, P, K, and Mg concentration levels in the leaves of Silver birch increased from 2006 to 2008. This reason was likely due to the later start of the growing season and higher percentage of humidity in 2006. Consequently, altitude gradients played a significant role on macronutrient contents of birch species’ leaves.

46-64

Authors: Stoyan Stoyanov

The expansion of golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe in the last decades has triggered research interest. Many aspects of jackal’s ecology, diet, population density, genetics, legal implications of range expansion and management have been studied thoroughly. However, very few studies have focused on body morphometrics. Bulgarian territory is considered the core area of golden jackal distribution in Europe with the highest population density, but morphometric studies including data about Bulgarian population were very scarce and local so far. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis of golden jackal morphometrics in Bulgaria, trying to clarify body shape and size related variability and differentiation. Morphometric data were analysed by applying recently developed statistical tools to respond to the following questions: (i) is there geographic variation in body size and shape among golden jackal population in Bulgaria, (ii) are there age-related differences and at what age jackals reach full growth of the body, and (iii) how pronounced is the sexual dimorphism in body shape and size among adult jackals? The body measurements of 87 golden jackals, collected all over the country were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Body size and shape of golden jackal in Bulgaria show considerable individual variability, but weak intrapopulation differentiation. The differences in shape and size of the jackal body, as far as they exist, are age-related, but only 5–6 months old animals could be easily distinguished. Body growth ends at 10 months of age, but even 7–9 months old jackals are difficult to distinguish from the adults in the field. Sexual dimorphism in jackal’s body is weakly pronounced, with older males a little bit larger than females. The results are consistent with recent genetic and morphological studies and give further insights on patterns in variability and population structure of golden jackal in Bulgaria.

77-96

Authors: Teodora Marius Teofilova and Nikolay Dyankov Kodzhabashev

The present study adds new data to the list of Carabidae species from the Eastern Rhodope Mts. of Bulgaria, and reveals some patterns of the species composition from zoogeographic, ecological and conservation point of view. A total of 5915 specimens of 138 species belonging to 50 genera and 19 tribes are found, including 13 endemic species and subspecies, one relict and some rare and stenotopic species. This represents, respectively, 18.5 % of all established for the Bulgarian carabid fauna species and 40 % of the genera. Eleven genera (Acupalpus Latreille, 1829, Anchomenus Bonelli, 1810, Anisodactylus Dejean, 1829, Carterus Dejean & Boisduval, 1829, Demetrias Bonelli, 1810, Elaphrus Fabricius, 1775, Gynandromorphus Dejean, 1829, Olisthopus Dejean, 1828, Parophonus Ganglbauer, 1891, Tachys Dejean, 1821 and Tachyura Motschulsky, 1862) are new for the Eastern Rhodope Mts. Two of the genera (Carterus and Gynandromorphus) are also new for the whole Rhodope Mts. The subgenus Philochthus Stephens, 1828 is new for the Eastern Rhodopes and subgenus Phyla Motschulsky, 1844 is new for the whole Rhodope Mts. Among the species, 60 species are new for the Eastern Rhodopes, and 24 species of them are new for the whole Rhodope Mts. The richest tribes are Harpalini (46 species), Amarini (14 species), Lebiini (11 species) and Carabini and Sphodrini (10 species each). Pterostichini and Bembidiini are represented with nine species each. Zoogeographical analysis shows that the Mediterranean faunal type prevailed. In relation to their life forms, zoophagous carabids predominate, presented by 78 species (56.5 %). Mixophyitophagous are 60 species (43.5 %). Most of the ground beetles are mesoxerophilous (51 species, 37 %).

109-118

Authors: Stoyan Stoyanov

Hunting exhibitions are valuable sources of morphometric data. Although considering only two craniometric measurements, i.e. maximum length and zygomatic breadth, a huge data base has been created. Trophies from almost all predator species are presented at hunting exhibitions and measured, thus making it possible to collect much more craniometric data in addition to the standard trophy evaluation. However, the CIC (Conseil International de la Chasse) have firmly established and appropriate criteria for awarding medals for only a very few carnivore species. Golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) is hunted as a game species in many European countries, following its ongoing expansion, but still very few trophies are presented and measured at hunting exhibitions. Often different criteria have been applied for awarding medals to jackal trophies decided on an ad hoc basis by the evaluation committees. Recently, new criteria for awarding jackal trophies were officially adopted by CIC in the latest edition of the Handbook for the Evaluation and Measurement of Hunting Trophies. However, not so many trophies of jackal skulls were measured since then and it seems that these criteria are determined arbitrarily and are not based on research or large amounts of data. Bulgarian territory is considered the core area of Golden jackal distribution in Europe with the highest population density, but morphometric studies, including skulls from Bulgaria, are very scarce and local so far. In the present research an extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls from Bulgaria and Romania was analysed to suggest and justify new criteria for awarding medals to jackal trophies. Statistical distribution of trophy scores was approximated by normal distribution with mean and variance calculated from the large Bulgarian sample. According to the results, gold medals must be awarded to a trophy scoring 27.00 CIC points and above, silver – from 26.50 to 26.99 and bronze – from 26.00 to 26.49.

132-152

Authors: Gabriela Petrova and Rossen Tzonev

A new classification approach of the forest vegetation in Etropolska Stara Planina Mt. is applied in the paper. The dominant and most widespread forest stands in the region have been investigated. They are represented mostly by Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus, Quercus petraea, Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa, etc. In total, 71 relevés collected according to the Braun-Blanquet’s methodology have been analyzed. As a result, five associations and three forest communities without phytosociological rank were identified. They were classified into four alliances and two classes: Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae with Luzulo-Fagion sylvaticae, Fagion sylvaticae and Carpinion betuli, and Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae represented by the alliance Alnion incanae. The vegetation of the studied area demonstrates high similarity with the mesophilous to mesohygrophilous deciduous forests typical to Southeastern and Central Europe.

165-176

Authors: Vasyl Yukhnovskyi and Olha Zibtseva

Based on the data of the StateGeoCadastre of Ukraine and the General development plans of towns, a comparative analysis of the structure of the land fund of small towns of Kyiv region has been carried out with the following ecological indicators: ratio of different types of land use, level of greening, population/green plantings ratio. Data analysis of the level of greening of towns and the availability of green public landscapes for general population has been conducted and it revealed that the current state of land use of small towns, as well as other urbanized territories, does not meet the requirements of environment management. Results of the analysis suggest that small towns are characterized by an excessive proportion of property development areas and suboptimal areas of natural territories, as well as insufficient greenery plantings, which require further balancing. In most of the studied small towns ecological situation can be considered satisfactory. Due to the extraordinary diversity of ecological and geographical conditions, individual approach to the development and improvement of greenery systems of small towns has been deemed feasible.

191-208

Authors: Andrii Churilov, Igor Goncharenko, Olha Kravchenko, Serhii B. Kovalevskyi, Yurii Marchuk, Konstantin Maevskyi, Serhii S. Kovalevskyi, Olha Marchuk, Maria Shevchuk , and Maria Dubchak

The article is presents results of studies on the vegetation of forest territories in the western part of Ukrainian Polissya, touched upon because of illegal amber mining. It has been established that the total species composition consists of 111 species, 80 genera and 30 families of vascular plants. Leading positions in the number of species occupy the families Poaceae and Asteraceae. According to the ratio of diagnostic species among the vegetation classes, representatives of the two classes Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Quercetea robori-petraeae occupy the leading positions in the phytosociological structure, and in general, the distribution of species of the Braun-Blanquet’s classes of the flora studied is consistent with the type of vegetation, which prevailed in the territories prior the violations. According to the Calinski-Harabasz criterion, clustering the relevés dataset into two groups (A and B) is most acceptable. The naturalness of species composition of cluster A is higher and is credibly different from cluster B. Phytoindication scores of most factors except humidity (Hd) are significantly different between clusters A and B. Additionally, the largest difference being observed in the nitrogen values, with the sites of the cluster A corresponding to soils with the lower nitrogen availability. The studied vegetation retaining sand is comprising some natural features of the surrounding type of vegetation of Ukrainian Polissya. Moreover, the relative remoteness from populated and industrial places, together with the conservation of the surrounding forests creates a potential for a substantial recolonization of the land by forest plant species. Despite this, it is advisable to conduct land restoration activities and monitor succession changes over longer period.

224-235

Authors: Iryna M. Koval, Svitlana V. Sydorenko, Serhii H. Sydorenko, Nadiya V. Maksymenko, and Nadiya I. Cherkashyna

This paper presents an analysis of climatic factors affecting radial increment in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in shelterbelt and forest stand in conditions of the Left Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Standard dendrochronological methods and methods of variational statistics have been used. Tree sensitivity over time was assessed in terms of Pearson’s correlation strength. Two periods (1965–1990 and 1991–2016) were compared to detect features of the response of latewood, earlywood, and total rings to climate change in the shelterbelt and forest stand. The following tendency was revealed: increase in the mean annual temperature by 1.1ºC (15 %), increase in the temperature in April-August by 1.1 °C (6 %), increase in March temperature by 1.4 °С (1470%), increase in winter temperature by 1.0 °С (25 %) in 1965–1990 by comparison with 1991–2016. Mean annual precipitation increased by 20 mm (4 %), precipitation in April-August increased by 10 mm (4 %) and winter precipitation decreased by 32 mm (10 %). For the shelterbelt, the significant negative correlations between the annual and latewood index series and temperatures for April, June, the average temperatures for April-August and average annual temperatures were detected for 1965–1990. Also, a significant negative correlation between the annual index series and temperature for April was revealed. Precipitation for June significantly restricted the annual increment. At the same time for forest stand only significant negative correlations between the annual and latewood index series and precipitation for April were found. In 1991–2017 significant negative correlations between latewood and September temperatures for the shelterbelt were found. Despite greater sensitivity of the oak radial growth to changes in environmental conditions and its lower stability in the shelterbelt compared to the forest stand, the radial growth of trees surviving after a severe drought in 1975 stabilized in 2010–2017.

254-261

Authors: Antoaneta Frantzova

During the last years new methodologies are developed for the natural hazards risk assessment. The presented work deals with the methodology firstly developed by several bodies at global and regional level (United Nations programs – ISDR, UNDP; Inter-American Development Bank and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GTZ); ESPON 3.1.3 Hazards Project; Joint Research Centre (JRC), EC. Our goal is to further improve these methodologies including some new elements such as: building risk profiles, introduction of the qualitative and quantitative risk levels, combination of several hazards and the influencing factors, and application of the developed methodology to some selected objects in Bulgaria (forest fires around Etropole town surroundings). Presented methodology shows reasonable results and could be explored and exploited by the local authorities, civil defense and risk managers.