Minnesota cities are getting help in their fight against the tree-killing emerald ash borer.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded $1.8 million in grants to help stop the spread of the destructive beetle.

The department has targeted $1 million to areas where the ash borer has already been discovered — St. Paul, Falcon Heights, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus.

Minnesota has about 900 million ash trees. Officials have cautioned that the infestation could quickly spread throughout the state.