Dayton authorizes National Guard to help fight wildfires

Published 9:41 am Thursday, April 16, 2015

ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to help fight wildfires in the state.

Dayton on Wednesday signed an executive order to provide emergency assistance to the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center.

In his order, Dayton noted that the center was fighting more than 35 wildfires on Wednesday.

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The National Weather Service has issued red flag fire warnings for all of Minnesota, due to dry conditions, high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

Fire conditions are expected to remain extreme for the next several days.