Local News

Walz authorizes state disaster aid for Cook, Lake counties following wildfires

KAXE

Published November 12, 2026 at 4:08 PM CST

A pickup truck with a canoe and trailer exits a closed area of road in Ely on July 14, 2026.

Cook and Lake counties can use funds from Minnesota's Disaster Assistance Contingency Account to cover repair costs for damaged public infrastructure.

Cook and Lake counties will receive state assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by this summer's wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

In a statement Wednesday, Nov. 11, Gov. Tim Walz noted the assistance follows months of emergency responses and local coordination.

The 2026 summer wildfires began in early July and caused extensive closures throughout the BWCAW.

"Minnesota has been engaged from the start — supporting emergency response, coordinating with local partners, and helping communities recover," Walz stated. "This assistance builds on that work and will help repair critical public infrastructure."

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The funding will come from the Disaster Assistance Contingency Account, a state fund that can step in when disaster costs exceed local resources.

In the statement, Walz also announced contingency funding for four southern Minnesota counties — Fillmore, Houston, Steele and Waseca — affected by flooding in September.

Walz's office did not provide an amount of assistance that would be provided. According to the statement, the total amount will be determined after recovery work is completed.