Introduction. One of the widely used methods of localizing the distribution of grassroots foci of forest burning is to create specialized barrier strips in the form of a moistened layer of forest fuel material. Water spray systems are traditionally used for soaking up such strips. Often, experts formulate hypotheses about the possible increase in the effectiveness of the use of such bands through the use of specialized aqueous formulations. However, experimental results, which substantiate such hypotheses, are still insufficient.

Methods. Attempts were made to equalize the mechanisms, conditions, and characteristics of the localization of the suppression of combustion of typical forest combustible materials (needles, leaves, their mixture) through the use of water without additives, as well as formulations based on the common impurities in firefighting in the moistening of barrier strips in this work. Wetting, flame retardant and extinguishing additives were used.

Results. Experimental quantitative results illustrating the differences between the times, liquid volumes and specific costs necessary and sufficient to localize the burning of different types of materials due to the application of barrier strips have been obtained.

Discussion. Sufficiently significant differences in the main characteristics of the process of localization of flaming combustion and pyrolysis of typical FFM with the use of water and aqueous formulations with typical additives for firefighting practice have been established. The minimum time of localization of combustion is established for the composition with the addition of bentonite. Minimal volumes of liquid composition with the addition of bentonite in comparison with bischofite and foaming agent are also registered.

Conclusions. The results of the experiments can be used to select the parameters and schemes for the formation of barrier strips to provide the required conditions for the localization of combustion in real practice for different volumes of pyrolysing material.