Smoke from wildfires near Two Harbors Friday, May 15. (Clifton Fire Department photo)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Gov. Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and activated the National Guard to help fight wildfires in northern Minnesota.
The declaration comes as dry, hot, and windy conditions have created dangerous wildfire risk across the state. Fires have spread across Lake, Crow Wing, and St. Louis Counties. The largest fires are the Steward Trail fire near Two Harbors and the Flanders fire in Crow Wing County. Between the two, nearly 1500 acres have burned since Friday.
“Unpredictable and fast-moving wildfires are putting Minnesota communities at risk,” Walz said. “This emergency declaration ensures we can fully mobilize the resources needed to protect lives, support evacuations, and help communities respond and recover. I’m grateful to the firefighters, members of the Minnesota National Guard, and all our first responders working around the clock to keep Minnesotans safe.”
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