Three Ontario fire ranger crews from Dryden, Pickle Lake and Sudbury, Ont., have been sent to Minnesota due to escalating wildfire activity in the state.
The crews, along with three fire engines, were deployed earlier this week as part of the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact agreement. The partnership allows Ontario, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to share personnel, equipment and aircraft during periods of escalated fire activity.
“The decision to provide resources is determined based on fire weather and the current hazard, as well as our own resource levels. Given the current and forecasted fire activity in Ontario, we were able to fulfill the request for assistance,” reads an emailed statement from an Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) spokesperson.
Ten Manitoba firefighters also landed in Bemidji, Minn., on Saturday to help with wildfire-fighting efforts.
The fire danger rating in much of Minnesota is listed as "high" or "very high," according to the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for 35 counties in parts of northwest, west central, and southwest Minnesota due to extreme fire risk conditions.
“A red flag warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including low relative humidity and high winds,” reads a media release issued by Minnesota DNR officials on Tuesday.
The fire danger map issued by the agency shows areas near Duluth, Minn., and the border with northwestern Ontario have predominantly low to moderate risk conditions.
As of Wednesday, 621 wildland fires have been reported statewide in Minnesota, according to the DNR.
Meanwhile, here in Ontario fire danger ratings are listed as being low across much of the province.
Since the wildland fire season began in April, Ontario crews have responded to 19 fires. In 2025, crews had already responded to 40 wildland fires within the same time period.