How to interpret DC
Higher DC values generally indicate deeper organic layers have experienced greater cumulative drying. DC contributes to Buildup Index and can provide important seasonal context during prolonged dry periods.
Fire weather is context, not a local prediction
Drought Code is not the Canadian Drought Monitor and should not be treated as a direct measure of water supply, agricultural drought, evacuation risk or whether a wildfire will start.
How DC fits into CFFDRS
Canada's Fire Weather Index System connects weather observations to fuel-moisture codes and fire-behaviour indices. FireRadar keeps each component separate so users can see what is actually being measured or derived instead of receiving an opaque combined risk score.
Use official operational guidance for decisions
CWFIS products are broad national fire-weather guidance. Provincial, territorial, Indigenous, municipal and Parks Canada authorities remain responsible for operational fire danger, restrictions, wildfire response and emergency decisions.
Official methodology and source
FireRadar renders the official Natural Resources Canada CWFIS layer directly and preserves the upstream symbology. It does not interpolate a value when the source is unavailable or transform this component into a FireRadar property-risk score.