Governor declares peacetime emergency to help with Minnesota wildfires

Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order declaring a peacetime emergency and authorizing the state National Guard to help respond to wildfires in northern Minnesota.

"Wildfires have broken out in northeastern Minnesota and are putting local communities at risk," Walz said. "This emergency declaration allows for the mobilization of additional resources necessary to protect lives, prevent damage, and help the Minnesota DNR and our local communities respond. Minnesotans extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters, members of the Minnesota National Guard, and all our first responders working around the clock to keep their neighbors safe."

Unusually dry conditions and lightning strikes have created a dangerous wildfire risk across much of northeastern Minnesota, the governor's office said. Since Friday, multiple fires have ignited in portions of Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties, potentially threatening lives, property and critical infrastructure, the office said.

Because of current weather conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for extreme fire risk.

On Saturday, the U.S. Forest Service closed 225,000 acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after multiple wildfires broke out. Dry conditions in the area continue.

In the past week, 17 wildfires have started in and around the BWCA, prompting evacuations and the closure of multiple trails and entry points. The fires are affecting the northwest part of the wilderness, between Ely and Crane Lake, north of the Echo Trail and south of Lac La Croix along the Canadian border. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is separately leading the response to five other fires in the same area.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is coordinating with federal, state and local partners on fire suppression, evacuations and emergency response. Responding agencies include the Minnesota DNR, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, the U.S. Forest Service and local emergency responders.

At the DNR's request, the executive order authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to provide personnel, equipment and resources to assist with wildfire suppression and emergency response.

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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM.