On fire safety in rural areas of Russia

Introduction. The article addresses the fire situation in rural areas of the Russian Federation and estimate the number of fire brigades that assure fire safety there. The purpose of the study is to analyze integral fire risks and a composite indicator of the fire hazard in Russia's rural areas and federal districts. The scope of research is the probability of fire occurrence in the territory of the Russian Federation. The focus of research encompasses values of integral fire risks in rural settlements and a composite rural fire hazard indicator, calculated using these values. Methodology. The theory of integral fire risks serves as the methodological framework for the study. Results and discussion. As a result of the study, it was found that the values of principal integral fire risks in rural areas of Russia are 2–3 times higher than those in urban areas. Similar results are obtained in other countries, in particular, in the United States. Values of the same fire risk are provided for urban and rural areas of the United States. Conclusions. The results obtained in the study can be used to solve problems of fire safety management in rural areas. The objective level of the fire hazard in rural areas of Russian federal districts was identified. It is advisable to conduct a similar study of the fire situation in rural areas of subjects of the Russian Federation.