Could Minnesota wildfires bring back lawmakers for a special session?
The emergency would let lawmakers extend wildfire resources if conditions persist past 30 days, and officials say the timing could intersect with the Aug. 11 primary.
- Minnesota could face a special session regarding wildfires ravaging the state's northeast, potentially coinciding with the Aug. 11 primary after Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency earlier this month.
- Should the peacetime emergency require resources beyond 30 days, state law mandates the governor recall lawmakers to the Capitol to approve an extension, though it remains unclear if officials will convene.
- Officials recently warned residents in Ely that extreme heat and dry conditions mean the fire season is just beginning. Incident Commander Kyle Smith said, "Unfortunately, I hate to say that, but we're just getting into it."
- Maggiy Emery with Protect Minnesota said on Monday that she does not see revisiting gun control in a hypothetical session as "a great use of our time" given legislative inaction during the regular session.
- Lawmakers held five special sessions from June to December 2020 to address COVID-19 and the state's response to the killing of George Floyd, though legislative staff remain divided on whether a similar session is likely this year.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Walz says lawmakers should pursue economic relief for Boundary Waters communities
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says a special legislative session should be in play to consider economic help for communities affected by wildfires. He will be forced to call one if he extends a peacetime emergency to combat them.
Delaware Forest Service Hand Crew Deploying to Minnesota to Support Wildland Fire
The Delaware Forest Service will deploy a 17-member wildland firefighting hand crew to support suppression efforts in northeastern Minnesota. The crew will depart Saturday, July 25th, at 6 a.m. from Blackbird State Forest and is scheduled for a 14-day mobilization under the national wildfire response system. This deployment is separate from the Delaware Forest Service Type 6 Engine E-613 and its three-person engine crew, which were mobilized ear…
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