Governor Walz orders flags at half-staff to honor Leslie R. Washington

Governor Tim Walz ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in Minnesota in honor and remembrance of Leslie R. Washington.

Provenance

What this seal means

The circular MAST seal means Mast created this record from an official source and normalized its schedule, scope, and details for easier reference.

Mast analysis

Mast interpretation

The Office of Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan states that Governor Tim Walz ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff.

The order is issued to honor and remember Leslie R. Washington, a wildland firefighter who died following a medical emergency while responding to the Bear Trap Fire near Ely, Minnesota, on August 11, 2026.

The message directs that flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota beginning immediately.

The accompanying proclamation text provides that, “NOW, THEREFORE… I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota immediately in honor and remembrance of Leslie R. Washington.”

The proclamation is dated “this 13th day of August.” The source does not specify a time for the end of the half-staff period.

The title, summary, or detailed analysis was prepared with AI assistance.

Source record

Authority and evidence

Minnesota Governor

This page summarizes Mast’s reading of the published order. Consult the issuing authority for the original record.

Official source

Stay informed

Get flag alerts for Minnesota

Receive morning email alerts when an order is in effect in Minnesota. Federal alerts are included automatically.

See browser and text alert options

Corrections and revisions

No public corrections are recorded.

Editorial information

Written and maintained by Josh Forehand

Last reviewed August 14, 2026