Gov. Walz mobilized MN National Guard to assist with wildfire response

As fire fighters spent the weekend battling two separate wild fires in the state, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of peacetime emergency, mobilizing the National Guard to assist in the response.

North Shore fire crews and first responders have been fighting the roughly 350 acre Stewart Trail Fire since Friday, May 15. Meanwhile, the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County has burned 1,000 acres.

Strong winds and dry conditions have created an elevated fire risk across the state. Both fires spread quickly, and despite rapid action from emergency responders, have caused significant damage.

In a May 17, 2026 press release, Walz explained the decision to declare an emergency and mobilize the National Guard. “This emergency declaration ensures we can fully mobilize the resources needed to protect lives, support evacuations, and help communities respond and recover,” Walz said in the release. “I’m grateful to the firefighters, members of the Minnesota National Guard, and all our first responders working around the clock to keep Minnesotans safe.”

According to the release, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requested the additional assistance. The release reads, “At the request of the Department of Natural Resources, the Executive Order authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to provide personnel, equipment, and resources to assist with wildfire suppression and emergency response efforts.”

As fire fighters have been able to increase containment on the Stewart Trail Fire, Minnesota Incident Command System, along with Lake and St. Louis counties, announced on Sunday afternoon that the evacuation zone and threat level was being reduced. The detour on Highway 61 remains in effect at the time of this publication.

Kirsten Wisniewski May 17, 2026