Minnesota tribal nations prepare for wildfire threats as smoke worsens air quality
Grand Portage and Bois Forte leaders activated emergency plans and urged residents to prepare as wildfire smoke spread across northeastern Minnesota
The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa are preparing for potential wildfire impacts as s wildfires continue to affect northeastern Minnesota, according to reporting from MPR News. Both tribal nations urged community members to remain indoors because of poor air quality and offered free face masks. Bois Forte Tribal Chairman Carlos Hernandez said the tribe has emergency evacuation plans in place, including identifying residents who may need specialized transportation if conditions worsen.
Bois Forte is also prepared to open tribal community centers as cooling and clean air shelters if needed, according to the MPR reporting The Grand Portage Band said it continues to monitor conditions and encouraged residents to enroll in the tribe's Emergency Alert System. Both tribal nations are providing updates through their social media channels.
- 1.MPR News, .
We provide the independent reporting that non-Native, extractive outlets often overlook. We give our communities the context and the facts they need to make informed decisions.
