ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Needed: A few good helicopters and pilots for Minnesota fire control.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hunting for helicopter services for its fire control bases in Cloquet, Princeton and Roseau. The agency hopes to hear from potential vendors by early January.

The DNR solicitation posted last week says the helicopters need to be operated by fully qualified personnel. They would be used to transport other fire personnel, equipment and supplies. They would also be deployed for reconnaissance flights, photography work and bucket-and-fire missions.

Minnesota has nearly 17 million acres of forest land supervised by the DNR’s Division of Forestry.

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