Tim Walz mobilizes National Guard to battle wildfires in Minnesota

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized state National Guard troops on Sunday ​to battle wildfires on the state’s ‌northern border with Canada.The fires have covered more than 800 acres in five days and are yet ​to be contained, according to a ​Minnesota state website.They are among the ⁠latest in a swath of fires ​that have raged across the United States due ​to hot, dry conditions driven by an El Nino weather pattern across the continent.“I’ve declared a peacetime ​emergency and mobilized the National Guard to ​assist with wildfire response in northern Minnesota,” said Walz, ‌a ⁠Democrat.

“Minnesotans extend our deepest gratitude to all of the first responders working around the clock to keep their neighbors safe.”A total ​of 16 fires ​are ⁠burning in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota, which normally ​attracts about 150,000 visitors in the ​summer.⁠Park rangers have been escorting visitors out of the park over the weekend, according to ⁠the ​Minnesota Natural Resources Department website.High ​temperatures over the weekend increased the fire risk, according ​to the National Weather Service....