Layout of multi-type firebreak network for transboundary fires—the Greater Khingan Mountains of China case

The Yimuhe Forest Farm, located in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains of China, has been plagued by Russian transboundary fires. However, this area lacked an effective forest firebreak network, and the road network density is only 0.84m/ha. This paper aims to improve the density of forest firebreaks and the ability to resist fires in Yimuhe Forest Farm, and provide a reference for other forest areas to build multi-type firebreaks. By summarizing historical data on transboundary fires in this area, we used FARSITE to determine the planning scope of firebreaks and Geographic Information System (GIS)-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to obtain the layout of the regional emergency firebreak network of transboundary fires. The planned firebreak network had a length density of 13.11m/ha, with the engineered firebreaks contributing a length density of 4.31 m/ha. Under fire simulation, the firebreak network significantly reduced the spread of transboundary fire, confirming its fire-blocking effectiveness. The planned firebreak network met standard requirements for length density, making it a valuable tool for slowing the spread of transboundary fires. The firebreak network effectively curtails the spread of transboundary fires along the Greater Khingan Mountains, offering guidance for forestry departments to implement measures for emergency firebreak planning and layout.