ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Gov. Tim Walz has announced that Minnesota is sending a crew of 17 wildland firefighters to Manitoba, Canada to help battle wildfires.
Manitoba requested the help from Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources.
The crew left from the Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids and is expected to help establish fire fuel breaks in remote areas and with fighting the fires from the ground.
“Canada is experiencing a historic fire season this year and I’m proud that our DNR wildland firefighters are ready to protect life and property in Minnesota and beyond, whenever the call comes in,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “The Minnesota DNR’s partnership with Canada and with our neighboring states ensures we can quickly and efficiently share resources to respond to wildfires throughout the region.”