INFLUENCE OF MAN ON FOREST-FIRE FREQUENCY IN NORTH KARELIA, FINLAND, AS EVIDENCED BY FIRE SCARS ON SCOTS PINES

Fire scars on living Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pine stumps dated by dendrochronology were used as evidence for fire history, the chronology of which was established for a period of 582 years, 1412-1 994. A total of 36 different fire years were identified, the average i ncidence of fires in the area being once every 11.2 years. The mean fi re interval was 36.7 years on the upper part of the hill and 58.6 year s on the lower part. Forest fires increased in the 17th century and de creased at the end of the 19th century.