~ Helicopters and crews to fight wildfire near Hibbing ~

Governor Pawlenty today ordered the Minnesota National Guard to send two Blackhawk helicopters and crews to northern Minnesota to help fight a wildfire near Hibbing.

“The fire danger is high and more help is needed to battle blazes throughout the state,” Governor Pawlenty said. “With many resources dedicated to fighting the Ham Lake Fire along the Gunflint Trail, I’m ordering the National Guard into action to assist the efforts under way to battle fires in other parts of northern Minnesota.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center requested two National Guard Blackhawk UH-60 helicopters equipped with 600 gallon water buckets that attach to the cargo hook of the aircraft. The Blackhawks will each have a crew of four from the St. Paul based 34th Combat Aviation Brigade and will fly firefighting missions beginning later tonight.

The fire near Hibbing is well over 600 acres. Several structures are threatened and are currently being protected by firefighting efforts on the ground. Minnesota DNR is currently using three helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft, including CL- 215 water scoopers, to attack the fire. An Incident Management Team will begin directing firefighting efforts on Friday, May 11.

The Ham Lake Fire along the Gunflint Trail forced more evacuations today for residents near Gunflint Lake, Loon Lake, and Tucker Lake. Strong winds have increased the total size of the fire to about 40,000 acres, about 10,000 of which is in Canada. More than 400 people and 10 aircraft are fighting the fire.

Earlier this week, Governor Pawlenty issued an emergency executive order that authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be available to assist in firefighting efforts in Northern Minnesota. Dry conditions and high winds have increased the fire danger throughout the state and the DNR and MIFC requested the availability of additional resources for providing air wildfire suppression.