“Very High” status added to GNWT’s Fire Danger warning system

The GNWT is updating the territory’s Fire Danger system to include an additional warning level, bringing the system to more closely align with similar practices across the country.

This update adds another level to the existing danger measurement system, that being “Very High” which will sit between “high” and “extreme.” The GNWT feels that this will improve clarity during emergencies, and make sure that the “extreme” level will be reserved only for the most severe situations.

Residents are urged to take this change seriously as summer approaches – if fire danger is High, Very High, or Extreme, the likelihood of new starts and rapid growth is serious.

Alongside this change there will be an increase in the number of fire danger sign locations across the NWT including staffed territorial parks, highway signs, and high traffic areas such as boat launches.

Accompanying the physical sign updates, the department will run a public education campaign to build awareness of the changes and what they mean for northerners and visitors.