BEMIDJI — In what is being called a “common event for emergency responders in Beltrami County,” dozens were rescued off Upper Red Lake on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Approximately 40-50 people were stranded on the ice that broke away from shore due to strong winds that picked up around 7 p.m.
“Upper Red Lake is a very popular fishing destination, frequently utilized before ice is stable resulting in the need to rescue people either from falling through the ice or floating on ice floats,” wrote Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Chris Muller in an email.
Around this time last year, about 200 people were rescued off Upper Red under similar conditions.
Wind speeds across Beltrami County Sunday night ranged from 20 to 30 mph.