Unfortunately, Bemidji has been experiencing quite a bit of fires this past week. Not only this past week, but this year in general, the number of fires has been considerably high compared to past years.
With the dry weather this past summer, we have experienced many grass fires and vehicle fires. But now that the summer months are no longer and we are well within the colder months, the number of fire responses still seems to be very high.
Justin Sherwood, Bemidji Fire Chief, says that the population of Bemidji continues to grow, which means there are many individuals that are working from home, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This population growth is not only within the city itself, but also within the 522 square mile response area of the fire department. With many people staying home during the day, the afternoon time is said to be the highest response time.