National Guard to fight blaze in northwestern MN
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Gov. Mark Dayton has ordered the National Guard to help fight a blaze in the northwestern corner of the state.
The fire is near the city of Greenbush in Roseau County.
The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center is coordinating the fire fighting effort.
Interagency Center spokeswoman Jean Goad said the fire encompasses 38,000 acres. It began Wednesday and the cause is still being investigated. Firefighters are struggling against hot, dry and windy conditions to contain the fire.
"They're putting up a fire line around it, about 70 percent has a fire line around it," Goad said. "But with the fire conditions the way they are today — with the hot, dry and windy conditions, they're using air attacks to keep it under control."
Campfires are banned in the area, Goad said. This new fire strains the state's firefighting resources, which are still working to put out the Pagami Creek fire in the Boundary Waters, which is 71 percent contained.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
