RED LAKE, Minn. -- Nearly 50 people had to be taken off Upper Red Lake on Monday after several sheets of ice broke up on the big lake, stranding them with their ice houses.
Everyone is now off the lake, according the Beltrami County Emergency Management office.
The fish houses are located on the east shore of the big lake, and wind and poor ice conditions caused existing cracks to wide and the ice sheets broke free, officials said. Responding to the scene were
Responding to the scene were Kelliher Fire with their rescue equipment, Blackduck Ambulance, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Deputies, Minnesota Department of Natural Resource officers and the Bemidji Fire Department, along with several resort owners. A safe path to retreat from the lake was established along with the equipment made available.
The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office advised that no one should be on the ice at this time because of the dangerous winds and fissures throughout the area. The next several days will continue to be a dangerous combination for those wanting to fish, the office said. A satellite photo shows the majority of Upper Red Lake is open and there are extreme cracks in the area where very light ice remains, officials said.
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"For your safety and the safety of our emergency responders please stay off the ice," a release said.
