diff --git a/meshai/central/consumer.py b/meshai/central/consumer.py
index 3b08cd3..0cf1686 100644
--- a/meshai/central/consumer.py
+++ b/meshai/central/consumer.py
@@ -584,10 +584,12 @@ class CentralConsumer:
         source = CENTRAL_ADAPTER_TO_SOURCE.get(raw_adapter, raw_adapter)
         if source != raw_adapter:
             logger.debug("Central adapter %r -> meshai source %r", raw_adapter, source)
+        # v0.6-3c: use handler severity override if present
+        sev_override = data.get("_severity_override") if isinstance(data, dict) else None
         return make_event(
             source=source,
             category=category,
-            severity=map_severity(inner.get("severity")),
+            severity=sev_override or map_severity(inner.get("severity")),
             **kwargs,
         )
 
diff --git a/meshai/central/wfigs_handler.py b/meshai/central/wfigs_handler.py
index 1b99b9f..e41fa85 100644
--- a/meshai/central/wfigs_handler.py
+++ b/meshai/central/wfigs_handler.py
@@ -150,6 +150,9 @@ def handle_wfigs(normalized: dict, envelope: dict, subject: str,
         # from acres/containment updates (wildfire_incident).
         if isinstance(data, dict):
             data["category"] = "wildfire_declared"
+        # v0.6-3c: severity override for fire broadcasts
+        if isinstance(data, dict):
+            data["_severity_override"] = "immediate" if (acres and acres > 1000) or contained_pct == 0 else "priority"
         _attach_commit_handles(data, irwin_id=irwin_id,
                                  acres=acres, contained_pct=contained_pct,
                                  event_log_row_id=log_id)
@@ -170,6 +173,9 @@ def handle_wfigs(normalized: dict, envelope: dict, subject: str,
         # handler call ran but no actual broadcast went out.
         if isinstance(data, dict):
             data["category"] = "wildfire_declared"
+        # v0.6-3c: severity override for fire broadcasts
+        if isinstance(data, dict):
+            data["_severity_override"] = "immediate" if (acres and acres > 1000) or contained_pct == 0 else "priority"
         _attach_commit_handles(data, irwin_id=irwin_id,
                                  acres=acres, contained_pct=contained_pct,
                                  event_log_row_id=log_id)
@@ -209,6 +215,9 @@ def handle_wfigs(normalized: dict, envelope: dict, subject: str,
 
     if (changed_acres or changed_contained) and eight_hours_passed:
         wire = _render(normalized, prefix="Update")
+        # v0.6-3c: severity override for fire updates
+        if isinstance(data, dict):
+            data["_severity_override"] = "immediate" if (acres and acres > 1000) or contained_pct == 0 else "priority"
         _attach_commit_handles(data, irwin_id=irwin_id,
                                  acres=acres, contained_pct=contained_pct,
                                  event_log_row_id=log_id)