UPDATE: Governor Activates National Guard to Help with Wildfires

UPDATE:  Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist with the wildfire response efforts in the northern part of the state. The declaration comes on the heels of multiple wildfires burning across parts of Crow Wing, Lake, and St. Louis counties since Friday. Among the largest fires are the blaze near Flanders Lake in Crow Wing County and the Steward Trail fire near Two Harbors.

Governor Walz says, "Unpredictable and fast-moving wildfires are putting Minnesota communities at risk. This emergency declaration ensures we can fully mobilize the resources needed to protect lives, support evacuations, and help communities respond and recover. 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."

ORIGINAL STORY:  CROSSLAKE (WJON News) -- People near Crosslake are being evacuated because of an area wildfire. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says fire crews and law enforcement began working to evacuate areas east of East Horseshoe Lake Road and south of County Road 11 on Saturday night because of a wildfire near Flanders Lake.

The area is about 5 miles southeast of Crosslake, and around 10 miles east of Breezy Point. The Crosslake Community Center is serving as a shelter for people affected. Officials say the fire grew rapidly because of dry, windy conditions and is estimated to be over 1,000 acres and is not contained.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a Red Flag Warning on Saturday for 15 counties, including Crow Wing.

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READ MORE FROM AUTHOR PAUL HABSTRITT