ALGORITHMS OF USING FIRE AVIATION TO EXTINGUISH FOREST FIRES

Abstract

The features of the algorithm and step-by-step method for solving the problem of increasing the efficiency of extinguishing forest fires with the help of aviation equipment are revealed. The general algorithm for determining the success of the first introduction of extinguishing agents using the forest fire hazard index is considered. The strategies for using aviation in extinguishing forest fires are outlined.

The time periods between detection, the first airdrop (t_a), and the time of the first ground units (t_g) were used as predictive variables. The categorized time periods from detection to fire containment (t_ca) are compared to binary containment scores. The algorithm includes data on weather conditions during suppression, namely: wildfire danger index, maximum air temperature, maximum average hourly wind speed at an altitude of 10 meters in open terrain, and minimum relative humidity for the period from detection to containment. These data are obtained from the most representative automated weather stations or during field measurements. In the study of a detected fire, visual assessments of the hazard of combustibles are used to describe their characteristics. The combustible hazard rating method allows for a quick assessment of combustible layers based on their continuity, depth, height, and residuals of the (FCM - forest combustible materials)

The scientific novelty of this work is to reveal the features of the algorithm for solving a specific problem, in our case, the use of aviation equipment to extinguish forest fires. Our main goal was to emphasize that there is currently no single specific and accurate algorithm in the world that can most effectively determine the sequence of actions for responding, engaging, and interacting with aircraft during forest firefighting with different fire loads. Aircraft basing and approach time is another crucial factor in the calculations. Algorithms for taking into account convective flows and the properties of water-based extinguishing agents are another important aspect. So, in the future, we plan to apply the method of combining algorithmic functions and draw parallels between them that could be used in practice. At the moment, we note that the algorithm and step-by-step method included in the work, if applied sequentially, will be able to provide a general reasonable assessment of the possibilities of using aircraft in forest firefighting.