Dozens Of Structures Burn As Walz Mobilizes National Guard For MN Wildfires

TWO HARBORS, MN — Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency Sunday and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist with wildfire response efforts in northern Minnesota.

The declaration comes after multiple wildfires ignited and spread across portions of Lake, Crow Wing and St. Louis counties since Friday, according to the governor’s office.

Among the largest active fires:

• Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors: 355 acres
• Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County: 1,500 acres

The Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors burned 34 structures, including eight primary structures, such as homes, according to MPR News.

The fire was 62 percent contained as of Sunday evening.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang said officials were not aware of any homes destroyed by the Flanders Fire, though some structures sustained minor damage, such as melted siding, according to KSTP.

“Unpredictable and fast-moving wildfires are putting Minnesota communities at risk,” Walz said in a statement. “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.”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is coordinating with state and local partners to support fire suppression, evacuations, and emergency response operations.

Responding agencies include:

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Minnesota Interagency Fire Center
• Local emergency responders
• Minnesota National Guard

The executive order authorizes the National Guard to provide personnel, equipment, and other resources at the request of the DNR.

The peacetime emergency is effective immediately and will remain in place until emergency conditions subside or June 7, whichever occurs first, according to the governor’s office.

The costs of state assistance will be paid from the general fund under state law.