Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee Fire Department is enduring one of its worst seasons on record. 

The department has responded to more than 50 calls so far in January or an average of more than two fires a day. Firefighters, operating in the extreme cold, have needed an extended amount of time to put out at least 34 of the fires, according to Milwaukee Deputy Fire Chief Erich Roden.

“The cold is challenging, but we don’t miss a beat with it,” Roden said, according to a CBS 58 report. “We make sure that we’re ready for it. A lot of these fires have also gone to greater alarms, second alarms and above, fires we've had to call extra resources.”

The increase in fires, Roden said, may be a result of people using space heaters in an attempt to stay warm. He cautioned residents not to use space heaters without tip-over protection or attempt to heat their homes by turning on the stove or oven.

"Let me be blunt, we suffer abject poverty in many areas of the city,” Roden told CBS 58. “We see that in the wintertime, residents kind of resorting to unconventional means to heat their homes.”

The deputy fire chief advised those who might need assistance with their energy issues should contact We Energies gas. 

“They have programs for people that have trouble paying their bills. Very, very unsafe," Roden said.

Other tips Roden offered were to pay attention to vacant homes and buildings that can become hazards and are susceptible to squatters. 

“Notify the police if you see anything going on inside one,” he said. “Obviously, they want to get out of the elements, too, and will resort to unconventional heating methods, such as fire pits.”

He also added every home needs to have a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector. CBS 58 added that anyone in need can call the smoke detector hotline at 414-289-8980. The hotline is open 24/7 and someone will install one for free.