Fire danger is not the same as an active fire
The categorical Fire Danger layer communicates regional conditions using the agency classes Low, Moderate, High, Very High and Extreme. A higher class means conditions are more favourable for ignition, spread, intensity or difficult suppression if a fire occurs; it does not prove that a wildfire is burning.
Provincial and territorial agencies can use different classification methods and may omit a category. FireRadar preserves the published class instead of manufacturing a missing level or converting it into a property-risk score.
One official rating across FireRadar
FireRadar shows the published rating without changing its category. When a province or territory publishes a suitable rating, that source is used; otherwise FireRadar shows Natural Resources Canada's CWFIS rating. The same rating appears on the map, location lookup, history, dashboard context and Fire Danger Alerts.
If a new update is unavailable or cannot be confirmed, FireRadar continues showing the latest available rating and labels it accordingly. Missing or uncoloured areas are never shown as Low.
Why fire weather varies across Ontario
Ontario's fire environment ranges from the heavily populated south to the vast forests, peatlands, lakes, and remote communities of the north. Fire Danger in Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario can be very different from conditions around the lower Great Lakes. Ontario Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services remains authoritative for provincial ratings and operational guidance.
Important limitations
Fire danger is a regional current-conditions classification, not a property-level threat forecast or a measure of whether a particular wildfire will spread toward a community. Local fuel, terrain, weather, suppression activity and agency updates can differ from the regional rating shown. High danger does not automatically mean a fire ban is in effect. Follow the responsible authorities for restrictions and operational decisions.
Official methodology and source
Natural Resources Canada publishes the national fire danger product through CWFIS. It reflects classification methods used by provincial and territorial fire-management agencies, so thresholds and available levels can differ by jurisdiction. FireRadar uses a provincial or territorial source when one is available and CWFIS for Canada-wide coverage. The numeric Fire Weather Index remains available as a separate CFFDRS map.