Abstract <p>Data from long-term studies of the trajectories of forest formation on burnt sites of different territorial (and topological) allocation in some areas of the Baikal region are presented. Current trends in the initial formation stages of forest coenoses, as well as their structure on burnt sites of different years and intensities, are shown. It is noted that secondary forests consisting of small-leaved tree species, represented by their sparse undergrowth and clumps of young growth, are developing on the site of burnt primary coniferous taiga. Tree species are often represented by single specimens on the sites of complete destruction of edaphic conditions—underlays and upper soil horizon on mountain slopes of different orography. It has been established that on the catastrophically burnt sites (in the central part and northern regions of Western Transbaikal) with completely burnt forest stand and underwood, including the surface soil, no plant species have been found for several years. At the same time, the further degradation of the edaphic conditions of habitats occurs here. Under such conditions, the development of undergrowth of coniferous (forest-forming) species is extremely limited and the formation of forest coenoses will require many decades. On the burnt sites of light coniferous forests in the southwestern parts of Transbaikal, with the partial preservation of individual trees of forest-forming species, the initial stage of formation of a canopy of small-leaved tree species, sometimes with the participation of conifers, has been noted, which indicates satisfactory conditions for primary taiga formation in a rather short time period. Activities on artificial and combined forest restoration in all the considered areas of western Transbaikal will contribute to a more rapid restoration of forests if there are no new fires.</p>