Forest fires in Ukraine and Chernihiv region under modern conditions

The purpose of the study is to identify modern spatiotemporal characteristics of forest fires in Ukraine and the Chernihiv Region, based on the analysis of available official statistical information and the work of scientists and practitioners. For this purpose, the article analyzes the features of modern weather and climate changes that affect the aggravation of the forest fire situation at both the global and regional levels. Feedback mechanisms between the intensity of forest fires and climate changes have been determined. Based on the analysis and generalization of information from official sources and scientific publications, an attempt was made to substantiate the dynamics and features of the geographical distribution of forest fires in Ukraine and the Chernihiv Region during the last decades. The main emphasis is on the analysis of the fire situation in the forests of Ukraine and Chernihiv Region in the new realities of Russian aggression during 2022-2024. For the territory of Ukraine and Chernihiv Region, information on the number and area of forest fires directly in the buffer zone (30 km from the front line), in the occupied territories, and the nature protection territories of the Emerald Network ecosystem has been demonstrated. The general characteristics of the forest fund of Ukraine and the Chernihiv Region, pyrological characteristics, and their influence on the natural fire hazard of forests are given. Seasonal features of the number and area of forest fires in Chernihiv Region are analyzed, and their manifestation under modern conditions - in particular, the aggravation of the fire situation in the most fire-hazardous months of the year is demonstrated. The available sources of information on quantitative indicators and spatial distribution of forest fires, and approaches to monitoring forest fires, particularly in the conditions of russian aggression, are summarized and analyzed. The negative impact of hostilities has been proven not only on the firefighting situation but also on the state of the forest ecosystem.