ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A Minnesota National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and 10 soldiers left for Washington state to help fight wildfires. The helicopter, from the Guard’s St. Cloud helicopter base, is equipped with a hoist to lower supplies to firefighters and perform rescues. Governor Tim Walz said the deployment will be at least two weeks, perhaps longer if needed. In announcing the deployment, Walz said: “We continue to battle our own wildfires here in Minnesota, but we have the resources needed to manage those, and we are in a strong position to step up and help our fellow states.” Washington has lost 3 million acres to wildfires so far this year compared to 2 million a year earlier.
Black Hawk base. The National Guard hasits central helicopter launch facility at the St. Cloud airport to serve the state.