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Minnesota governor declares peacetime emergency, activates National Guard for wildfire response
Walz said the order will keep emergency resources flowing as crews battle multiple blazes that have burned 355 acres and destroyed 34 structures.
- On Sunday, May 17, 2026, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist with wildfire response efforts across northern Minnesota.
- Multiple wildfires ignited across northern Minnesota since Friday, driven by extreme fire danger conditions including high winds, low humidity, and unusually hot temperatures.
- The Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors has burned 355 acres and destroyed 34 structures, while the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County has grown to 1,200 acres.
- Evacuations and Highway 61 closures remain in effect as authorities in St. Louis County investigate an incident where a firefighting aircraft was struck by a bullet Friday evening.
- The peacetime emergency order remains in effect until June 7, 2026, or until conditions improve, while forecasters monitor incoming thunderstorms that could influence fire containment efforts.
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24 Articles
24 Articles
Pine Journal+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Wildfires ravage northern Minnesota as containment efforts continue
TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Containment efforts continued three days after a series of wildfires broke out in northern Minnesota — consuming land, damaging structures, displacing residents and closing roads. The largest — over 1,600 acres — was only about 30% contained Monday, May 18. Gov. Tim Walz surveyed damage Monday and met with wildfire crews, local officials, first responders and affected residents in Two Harbors and thanked the rescue personnel…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
C 73%
R 18%
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