The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and National Guard each have aerial firefighting fleets. Both were under Commissioner Harrington’s multi agency command center (MACC) which neither he nor Governor Walz activated until late Thurs May 28 after watching 3rd Precinct fall.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), run by Governor Walz’ appointee, Commissioner Sarah Strommen, has leased a fleet of 6 firefighting planes from St Paul-based Fire Boss (pictured) since 2015. (Commissioner Harrington thanked Commissioner Strommen at the Press Conference with the Senior Team.)
Regarding aerial firefighting over days of widespread arson, May 31 2020 MACC issued a one page after-action report:
“Support teams from the State Fire Marshal and the DNR conducted an aerial fire suppression mission.”
