Minnesota National Guard Activated to Help Fight Northern Minnesota Wildfires

(KNSI) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the National Guard to help with firefighting efforts in northern Minnesota.

Officials say a rapidly moving wildfire near Isabella in Lake County was discovered about 3:00 Sunday afternoon and burned a couple of hundred acres. The Forest Service says the fire is “rapidly growing and spreading due to high winds and dry vegetation and has the potential to impact structures and recreation assets.”

Sunday night, Governor Walz issued the Executive Order deploying guard resources to the area. In a press release, Walz says, “This summer, Minnesota has experienced abnormally high temperatures and a historic drought resulting in dry conditions conducive to wildfires. I am grateful to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for their tireless efforts to combat wildfires in our state. The Minnesota National Guard’s additional support will be critical to responding to these wildfires and protecting the safety of Minnesotans and their property. I am proud that our Service Members have again answered the call to serve their fellow Minnesotans.”

According to officials with the guard, St. Paul-based 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion is sending two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with Bambi water buckets. Those water buckets are suspended by a cable from a helicopter and can carry up to 216 gallons of water. Two Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks with fueling capability were also sent. The Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing is sending one fuel truck to provide aerial fire suppression capabilities to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Minnesota National Guard’s St. Cloud-based C Company, 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion sent a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter with a hoist to Washington to provide medical evacuation support and aerial fire suppression to the firefighting efforts on August 7th. They were initially requested to support this fire suppression mission for two weeks, but the request for support could be extended depending on how fire containment continues.

The McDougal Lake Campground, McDougal Lake Boat Ramp, McDougal Lake Picnic Area, McDougal Lake Trailhead, and Trail were cleared of all visitors Sunday. Police in Silver Bay are asking anyone in the Greenwood and McDougal Lake areas to leave immediately. Reservations for the campground at McDougal Lake have been canceled until at least August 30th.

The next chance for rain around that area is Thursday, but the National Weather Service says it’s a slight chance.

Originally published at 6:55 a.m. August 16th, 2021. Update published at 12:20 p.m. August 16th, 2021.

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