Black Hawk Helicopters Rush Into Minnesota Wildfire Battle

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on July 12, 2026, activating the Minnesota National Guard in support of aerial wildfire suppression operations in Northern Minnesota.

On July 13, 23 members of the Minnesota National Guard supported the mission with four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

The helicopters and crews based their operations at the City of Orr Airport as aerial wildfire suppression efforts continued.

The Minnesota National Guard said it remains “Always ready, Always there” to protect life, preserve property, and support Minnesota’s communities and civil authorities.