Minnesota has deployed National Guard troops to fight fast-moving wildfires in the northern part of the state as dry, windy conditions fuel blazes that officials describe as "unpredictable".
Governor Tim Walz activated the Guard following a request for additional support from the state's Department of Natural Resources, which is struggling to contain the fires spreading rapidly across the region.
The wildfires pose significant challenges for firefighting crews due to unpredictable weather patterns and parched conditions that allow flames to spread quickly across the landscape.
National Guard personnel will work alongside firefighters and emergency services to help bring the blazes under control. The deployment marks a significant escalation in the state's response to the crisis.
The decision to call in military support underscores the severity of the situation facing communities in northern Minnesota as fire crews battle to protect lives and property from the advancing flames.