UPPER RED LAKE, Minn. – Emergency crews rescued 35 people stranded on a chunk of ice that broke off on Upper Red Lake. Strong winds coupled with unseasonably warm weather and recent rain caused the break-away. The ice broke about 4:50 p.m. The rescue took 3-1/2 hours with seven agencies and helpers from several lake resorts ferrying the stranded people 100 yards to solid ground. There were no injuries. Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs said Upper Red Lake is always late to freeze thick enough for safe for ice-fishing because of its geographical size. The lake is part of dual-basin Red Lake, which at 288,000 acres is Minnesota’s largest inland lake.
Air boats to rescue. Among responding emergency units were rescuers from Bemidji, Blackduck and Kelliher. Image: Kellliher Fire Department