Slope and Altitude Dependency of Lightning Discharges and Fires from Thunderstorms in Mountainous Terrain (Case Study of the Altai Republic Territory)

The aim of the proposed study is to analyze the relationship of lightning discharges and fires from thunderstorms to altitude above sea level and slope angle of the terrain. It has been found that the highest proportion and density of fires are characteristic of the altitude range from 1000 to 1500 meters above sea level. The highest density of lightning activity is observed in the altitude range of 500-750 meters. With further increase in altitude, the density of lightning and fires decreases. A direct correlation has been noted between the increase in fire density and the increase in slope steepness up to 35 degrees. The study is based on data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and fire data provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Tourism of the Altai Republic and the Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve. The assessment of morphometric dependence of thunderstorm forest fires on the studied territory is conducted for the first time.