ST. PAUL - Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday ordered the Minnesota National Guard to assist with firefighting efforts in Washington state.
The mission begins Friday and may last up to 15 days, a release from the governor's office said. Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters along with needed personnel and equipment will go to Washington to help fight 15 different active fire complexes, totaling over 230,000-affected acres.
Dayton's emergency executive order provides for emergency assistance at the request of Washington state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the release said. Minnesota moved to join the interstate mutual aid compact in 2015.
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources helicopter operations manager will accompany the National Guard on the mission.
