N.W.T. structure fires cost $15.4M in 2025-26

Structure fires in the Northwest Territories caused more than $15.4 million in property losses in 2025-26, and nearly three in four of them happened in homes, the territorial fire marshal’s annual report says.

The Government of the Northwest Territories released the Office of the Fire Marshal’s 2025-26 report on Nov. 9. It covers fire incidents, inspections, investigations, training and prevention work during the fiscal year.

The office recorded 140 fires across the territory. Of those, 59 were structure fires, or 42 per cent. Fires caused one death and one injury. By Canada News Media’s calculation, the structure-fire losses average about $261,000 a fire.

Residential buildings accounted for 73 per cent of structure fires, which works out to roughly 43 of the 59. Electrical equipment was the leading known source of ignition, at 12 per cent of all reported fires.

The office conducted or received reports on 412 fire inspections, completed 56 plan reviews and carried out eight fire investigations. It launched a new defensive fire training package for smaller community fire departments and released the 2026 Wildland/Urban Interface Guidelines.

Public education campaigns focused on smoke alarm maintenance and lithium-ion battery safety, and the office said it is working to improve how fire incident data is collected and reported. The government said the report reinforces the importance of working smoke alarms in homes, where most structure fires occurred.

Fire has been a major concern in the territory this year. See our earlier coverage of the Fort Providence wildfire evacuation order and how residents of another community were allowed home after a weeklong evacuation, as well as the territory’s $794.5-million capital plan.

The figures come from the Government of the Northwest Territories’ news release on the report.

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