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National Guard called upon to help fight H5N2 in Wisconsin

Governor Scott Walker issuing a couple of executive orders on Monday calling up the Wisconsin National Guard to help with threats to agriculture in the state.

Executive Order #156 authorizes the Guard to assist in the response to avian influenza cases in Jefferson, Juneau and Barron Counties.  “We must act quickly and efficiently to contain the outbreak and protect domestic poultry,” Governor Walker said.  “It is important to note, however, there is no threat to humans with the avian flu outbreak.”

Governor Walker’s Executive Order allows the Wisconsin National Guard to assist in the response and help contain the outbreak, as well as offer assistance in site clean-up.  The state veterinarian, through DATCP, requested up to 14 Guard personnel be made available, on a rotating schedule, for immediate assistance.  This assistance from the Wisconsin National Guard is necessary because federal resources are thin, due to avian influenza virus outbreaks in other states, particularly in the Midwest.

 

The Governor’s Executive Order #157 declares a State of Emergency due to an increased likelihood of wildfires as a result of abnormally dry weather conditions throughout the state.  The risk of significant large fires is expected to extend at least through the end of May.

“Much of our state is in a moderate drought at this time, and we’re not expecting that will improve very soon,” Governor Walker said.  “The recent dry weather, in combination with other factors such as wind speeds and low humidity, create the perfect environment for volatile wildfires, which is a potential danger to the people of Wisconsin and their property, as well as our natural resources.  Therefore, I am calling upon the Wisconsin National Guard to assist the Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in wildfire suppression efforts.”

Walker also asks that all state agencies be ready to aid in potential wildfire response and recovery efforts.