The birch forests in Altai Krai are affected by the various forms of influence, including grazing, mowing, trampling and fires. The article considers one of the most common anthropogenic factors influenced on the herb statum of the birch forests in Altai Krai — agricultural burning or surface fires. The list of plant species and structure of the birch forests in Еlcovsky district has been investigated, also the botanical and ecological herb statum analysis of the natural forest areas not affected by surface fires have been carried out. The trends of species and grass structure transformations on fire sites depending on the slope exposure have been revealed. The changes in the grass species complex during the first two years after the fire have been observed. It is established, that agricultural burning brings to reduction of the grass vegetation biodiversity, to the death of shoots and undergrowths, also changes the ecological, biological and spatial structure of the herb statum and assists the distribution of the ruderal species. In relation to the influence of fires 2 groups of plant species are distinguished. More effective renewal of the herb statum after fires takes place on the north exposure slopes, being characterized with the best hydrological conditions.