Dayton Orders Guard To NW Minnesota Wildfire

GREENBUSH, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton is ordering the Minnesota National Guard to help battle a growing wildfire in northwestern Minnesota.

The Grand Forks Herald reports the blaze near Greenbush has burned 48 square miles.

Ron Sanow, spokesman for the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, says the area has had a month of below-average rainfall, above-average temperatures and below-normal humidity. A brisk southerly wind also is pushing the fire.

The fire originated Wednesday afternoon 10 miles northwest of Greenbush. It was as wide as three miles in some areas.

No injuries or burned structures are reported. The burned area is mostly brush and grasslands, with very little cropland.

The cause is under investigation.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)