Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on July 12, authorizing the National Guard to assist firefighters in battling wildfires in northern Minnesota.
A peacetime emergency is an executive order that allows the governor to mobilize state resources to respond to crises, including natural disasters, terrorist incidents, cyberattacks, and civil disturbances.
As of Sunday evening, the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota has 16 wildfires burning, including four within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, according to the Incident Information System website.
“Minnesotans extend our deepest gratitude to all of the first responders working around the clock to keep their neighbors safe,” the governor said in a post on X.
High temperatures over the weekend increased fire risk, according to the National Weather Service. The U.S. Forest Service said it closed part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on July 10 due to a nearby wildfire in Quetico Provincial Park.
This news report will be updated with additional details.
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