Tim Walz mobilizes National Guard to battle wildfires in Minnesota

Tim Walz mobilizes National Guard to battle wildfires in Minnesota

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized state National Guard troops on Sunday ​to battle wildfires on the state’s ‌northern border with Canada.

The fires have covered more than 800 acres in five days and are yet ​to be contained, according to a ​Minnesota state website.

They are among the ⁠latest in a swath of fires ​that have raged across the United States due ​to hot, dry conditions driven by an El Nino weather pattern across the continent.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized state National Guard troops on Sunday ​to battle wildfires on the state’s ‌northern border with Canada. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“I’ve declared a peacetime ​emergency and mobilized the National Guard to ​assist with wildfire response in northern Minnesota,” said Walz, ‌a ⁠Democrat.

“Minnesotans extend our deepest gratitude to all of the first responders working around the clock to keep their neighbors safe.”

A total ​of 16 fires ​are ⁠burning in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota, which normally ​attracts about 150,000 visitors in the ​summer. ⁠

Park rangers have been escorting visitors out of the park over the weekend, according to ⁠the ​Minnesota Natural Resources Department website.

High ​temperatures over the weekend increased the fire risk, according ​to the National Weather Service.

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