Minnesota National Guard Activated to Help Fight Northern Minnesota Wildfires

(KNSI) — The Minnesota National Guard is being activated to provide emergency assistance to help fight wildfires in northern Minnesota.

Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 25-04 directing the National Guard to assist the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center with fire suppression efforts and assets.

“Wildfires in northern Minnesota have forced families to evacuate and caused severe damage to and loss of property. My thoughts are with those Minnesotans who are being impacted by this dangerous and unpredictable fire,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful to the men and women of the Minnesota National Guard for stepping up to this mission, and to all the state and local agencies working tirelessly to contain the fire and protect Minnesotans.”

The Minnesota Incident Command System is managing multiple fires in northern Minnesota. Currently, the two largest fires are the Camp House Fire just north of Brimson and the Jenkins Creek Fire located 45 miles east of Hibbing. Since the Camp House fire was reported on Sunday, May 11th, it has grown to more than 1,200 acres. The Department of Natural Resources, Superior National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and mutual aid from area fire departments and other states have been actively responding by ground and air. The Jenkins Creek Fire was reported Monday, is now more than 1,000 acres in size. Monday evening, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders in areas around Indian Lake, Breda Lake and Cotton Township for a new fire that started. The size of that blaze has not been released.

The DNR says the entire state is under an extreme fire risk, and open burning is not allowed.

The National Guard will provide personnel, assistance, and resources to support wildfire suppression efforts alongside the DNR, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, and local agencies.

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