ST. PAUL, MN - As wildfires continue to burn across the state, Governor Tim Walz today declared a peacetime emergency and directed state agencies to provide the assistance necessary to help respond to and recover from the wildfires that have caused significant destruction to property and critical infrastructure. Yesterday, St. Louis County officials declared a state of local emergency, requesting public disaster assistance.

“We will continue to deploy every possible resource to respond to the wildfires that are burning across Northern Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for the tireless work and coordinated response from emergency management officials, first responders, wildland firefighters, and law enforcement to keep Minnesotans safe. We will continue working alongside these frontline responders as they protect life and property.”

This order will further support wildland firefighters and emergency responders, and it comes as the Jenkins Creek, Camp House, and Munger Shaw wildfires remain active. As fire departments, law enforcement, and state and federal wildland firefighting agencies work together to respond to these fires, additional resources will be needed to address the ongoing threats from these wildfires.

Under the peacetime emergency, the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will continue to support the coordination of on-site support and assistance to affected local governments and determine the need for additional emergency assistance. While parts of Minnesota are experiencing rain and lower temperatures, Northern Minnesota remains windy and dry. With the current conditions, it will take above-normal precipitation spread over the next month to significantly alleviate very dry conditions in the state.

Last week, Governor Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to provide emergency assistance to help respond to active wildfires in northern Minnesota. The National Guard is working alongside the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, and other state and local agencies to provide personnel, assistance, and resources to support wildfire suppression efforts. The Governor surveyed fire damage and met with emergency management officials last week in the Two Harbors area.