2024 Northwest Territories Forest Health Report highlights impacts of drought and decreased insect activity

September 24, 2025

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released the 2024 Northwest Territories Forest Health Report. The report offers a comprehensive overview of forest health conditions throughout the territory. It highlights the significant impacts of prolonged drought and notes a general decline in forest insect and disease activity compared to previous years.

The report’s surveys covered approximately 4.3 million hectares, or about one-third of the usual annual survey area. Reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke limited survey coverage and impacted data collection. Despite these challenges, three key trends were identified:

• A general decline in insect and disease activity
• Increased drought stress impacting forest health and elevating wildfire risk.
• Emergence of new threats such as Aspen Running Canker (a fungal disease known to kill aspen trees).

The ongoing drought is not only stressing forests but also contributing to elevated wildfire hazards, as seen during recent fire seasons. The report recommends enhanced monitoring, including expanded use of satellite-based remote sensing, to better track drought and forest health conditions.

The GNWT is committed to working with partners and using advanced monitoring tools to inform forest and wildfire management decisions. The full 2024 Northwest Territories Forest Health Report is available online at https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/sites/ecc/files/resources/2024_gnwt_forest_health_report_final.pdfw

Quote:

“The health of our forests is critical for the environment, wildlife, and communities. They are a living connection between our land, wildlife, and all who call this place home.  This report underlines the need for continued monitoring and adaptive management, especially as we face the challenges of a changing climate, increasing drought conditions and wildfires. By working together, we can protect these vital lands and ensure a healthy, thriving North for our children and the generations to come.”
— Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• Reduced Insect Damage: Damage from major forest pests, including the aspen serpentine leafminer and eastern spruce budworm, decreased significantly in 2024. Eastern spruce budworm defoliation (a form of severe tree damage) also declined
• Drought Impacts Intensify: While insect damage decreased, drought stress has emerged as a major threat. Since 2022, much of the NWT has experienced severe drought conditions, with up to 40% of the territory affected by severe to extreme drought as of December 2024. Drought weakens trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases and increasing wildfire risk.
• Emerging concerns: A newly confirmed aggressive fungal disease, aspen running canker, was identified in several areas and may pose a future threat to aspen forests in the territory.

Related links

• 2024 Northwest Territories Forest Health Report

For media requests, please contact:

ECC Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ECC_Communications@gov.nt.ca

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