Gov. Walz gives update on state’s firefighting efforts in northern Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — Gov. Tim Walz is giving us an update on wildfires currently raging in Minnesota.

There were 40 wildfires reported Sunday, with another 40 on Monday. Walz has activated the Minnesota National Guard to help combat those fires.

Three of the largest are still uncontained and all in St. Louis County. They are the Camp House, Jenkins Creek, and Munger Shaw fires.

The Camp House fire is over 11,000 acres and has burned 80 structures. Planes have been sent from Wisconsin and Michigan to help fight the fires.

Ground resources and fire trucks have also been sent from North Dakota and Ontario along with a 20-person crew from Colorado.

Walz says, “This is going to be an ongoing battle, probably throughout most of the summer, and I think right now it’s important for us to start thinking about the habits we’re doing. Start thinking about containment and making sure we’re prepared to protect property, and of course most importantly, protecting life.”

Minnesota experiences around 1,100 fires per year but the state has seen over 970 wildfires already this year.