Daijiworld Media Network – Minnesota

Minnesota, Jul 13: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and mobilised the state's National Guard to assist in battling wildfires burning along the northern border with Canada.

The fires have scorched more than 800 acres over the past five days and remain uncontained, according to Minnesota state authorities. The blazes are among the latest in a series of wildfires affecting parts of the United States amid hot and dry conditions linked to the El Niño weather pattern.

"I've declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the National Guard to assist with wildfire response in northern Minnesota," Walz said.

"Minnesotans extend our deepest gratitude to all of the first responders working around the clock to keep their neighbours safe," he added.

Officials said a total of 16 wildfires are currently burning in the Superior National Forest, a popular destination that typically attracts around 150,000 visitors during the summer season.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said park rangers have been escorting visitors out of the forest over the weekend as a precautionary measure.

The National Weather Service warned that high temperatures recorded over the weekend had significantly increased the risk of wildfire spread, complicating firefighting operations.