Gov. Mark Dayton issued an order Tuesday directing the Minnesota National Guard to provide equipment and soldiers to help fight wildfires in central and northwestern Minnesota.
Dayton's order says as of Monday, the state's Interagency Fire Center was fighting eight different fires in the northwest, and fire rating is high in west central and south central Minnesota. He said state agencies do not have "adequate aviation resources for widespread wildfire suppression."
The National Guard said in response to Dayton's order, it sent two Blackhawk helicopters with crew and support teams to assist in the firefighting. A total of 13 soldiers are supporting the efforts, the Guard said.
