The impact of forest fires on the rivers of the Zaigraevskiy district in the Republic of Buryatia

Forest fires significantly influence hydrological and hydrochemical regimes of rivers. Based on forest fire statistics and characteristics of river networks, areas for monitoring of river conditions were selected in the Zaigraevskiy district of the Republic of Buryatia. An inverse correlation between precipitation levels and numbers of fires was identified. During 2012, abnormal water levels and flows in the Bryanka river were related to the challenging forest fire situation in the previous year. Finally, macro- and micro-component analyses of water showed that chemical runoff into the rivers increases with pyrogenic damage to water catchment areas.