Abstract: 【Objective】 Taking three main forests in Qingyang city, Gansu province as research objects,this study compared and analyzed the differences in fuel load of the shrub layer, herb layer, litter layer and humus layer, and the fuel load composition under the forests.It also investigated the effect of some terrain factors and stand factors on the distribution of fuel load, providing reference for the prevention and management of forest disaster in this area.【Method】 Using one-way ANOVA to investigate the distribution characteristics of understory fuel load, and analyzing the correlation between topographic factors, stand factors, and fuel load in each layer to determine the main factors affecting the understory fuel load in three forest types.【Result】 In the composition of fuel load underthe three forest types, the humus layer accounted for the highest proportion, with 88.95%, 80.95% and 75.52%, respectively; there were significant differences in the fuel load among different levels forthe same stand type, the fuel load of the three forests varied significantly at each level, except for the herblayer. The humus load of Robinia pseudoacacia forest was significantly higher in near-mature forests than in young forests. The litter layer and humus layer loads were most distributed when thecanopy density was ≥0.7. In Quercus forests, the load of shrub layer was significantly higher on the upper slope than on the lower and middle slope; the load of herb layer was significantly higher at elevation <1450 m than at elevation >1550 m; the loads of shrub layer and herb layer were most distributed when the canoty density was ≥0.7 and t ≤0.5, respectively. The litter layer load of Pinus tabulaeformis forests was significantly higher in middle-aged forests than in young forests, and the humus layer load was significantly higher in the near-mature forests than in young forests. Both litter layer and humus layer load were most distributed within the canopy density 0.51—0.69.【Conclusion】 The understory fuel load of the three forest types were Quercus forests > P. tabulaeformis forests > R. pseudoacacia forests.Canopy density and forest age were the main factors affecting the fuel load under R. pseudoacacia and P. tabulaeformis forests in Qingyang City; elevation, slope position and closeness were the main factors affecting the fuel load under Quercus forests.