35 people rescued from Upper Red Lake Sunday night after ice breaks from shoreline

FARGO (KFGO) – Beltrami County Deputies and Kelliher firefighters rescued 35 people stranded on a large ice chunk that broke from the shore of Upper Red Lake shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities on the scene determined because of the distance, they needed to evacuate the people from the ice by airboat.

Initial reports indicated an estimated 40 to 50 people were on the ice and there was 40 to 50 feet of open water separating it from the main ice connected to shore. During the rescue, strong winds pushed the ice chuck further out, about several hundred feet from shore.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities remind those venturing onto the ice that the unseasonably warm weather combined with recent rain has resulted in inconsistent ice conditions.

Last year first responders had to rescue around 200 people from a piece of ice that broke free on Red Lake.

The Minnesota DNR says there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice, but the general rule is a minimum of four inches for ice fishing….5-7 inches for a snowmobile or small ATV….11-12 inches for a medium SUV or small truck….16-17 inches for a heavy-duty truck.

Story by Don Haney / KFGO