ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today issued Executive Order 17-08, directing the Minnesota National Guard to assist with response and relief efforts for wildfires currently threatening life and property in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Governor Dayton’s Executive Order approves a request for assistance from the Minnesota National Guard through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

 

“I am glad that Minnesota will be able to assist those affected by the terrible wildfires in the Western United States,” said Governor Dayton. “I thank Major General Nash for his leadership, and the brave Minnesota National Guard soldiers who will assist in response and relief efforts for the affected states. Minnesota stands ready to assist in any way we are able.”

 

Extremely hazardous wildfire conditions currently exist throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountain regions, including near-record temperatures and low relative humidity. Numerous wildfires across these states are threatening people’s lives, homes, and other buildings. These fires have required many people to be evacuated and moved to shelters for an unknown period of time.

 

To read Governor Dayton’s Executive Order, click here.

EMAC is a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states. A requesting state asks for resources (people, equipment, etc.) based on their needs. Agencies in other states with those resources are able to respond to a request, but there is no obligation to participate. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division coordinates the state’s EMAC requests.

 

Additional information about EMAC is available at https://www.emacweb.org/.