Cold Weather Brings New Challenges for Area Fire Departments

Fargo and Casselton firefighters say extreme cold changes how they rotate crews and manage equipment, while their goal of safety stays the same.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:47pm

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Firefighters in Fargo and Casselton, North Dakota face unique challenges when responding to emergencies in extreme cold weather. While their core responsibilities remain the same, the methods they use must adapt to prevent issues like frozen fire hydrants, hoses, and the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for crew members. Fire departments focus on rotating crews more frequently and taking extra precautions with any water-based equipment to ensure safety.

Why it matters

Firefighters in the region must be prepared to handle a wide range of weather conditions, from bitter cold to extreme heat, in order to effectively respond to emergencies and protect public safety. The extreme cold poses unique risks that require specialized training and equipment to mitigate.

The details

Fargo Fire Department Captain Troy Borowicz explains that the main challenge in extreme cold is rotating firefighters more frequently to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Fire hoses and hydrants can also freeze, requiring crews to leave lines slightly open to prevent ice buildup. Volunteer firefighters in Casselton, like Chief John Hejl, must be mindful to dress appropriately before responding from other jobs. Despite the weather-related challenges, the core mission of firefighters remains the same - to respond safely and effectively to emergencies.

  • In December 2025, the Fargo Fire Department responded to 16 total fires of varying sizes.
  • In January 2026, the Fargo Fire Department responded to multiple structure fires.

The players

Troy Borowicz

Captain of the Fargo Fire Department.

John Hejl

Chief of the Casselton Fire Department.

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What they’re saying

“The main thing is just getting our different firefighters rotated through, because obviously with the extreme cold, the water on top of that can set hypothermia and frostbite in a lot sooner.”

— Troy Borowicz, Captain, Fargo Fire Department

“We're keeping in the back of our minds, 'Hey, it's winter now, so we need to be dressed appropriately,' and arriving to the station to leave from here and go take care of whatever it is that we need to take care of.”

— John Hejl, Chief, Casselton Fire Department

What’s next

To prevent winter fires before they happen, fire departments recommend that residents keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture or clothing, and plug them directly into a wall outlet instead of using an extension cord.

The takeaway

Firefighters in the Fargo and Casselton area must be prepared to adapt their tactics and equipment to handle the unique challenges posed by extreme cold weather, while still maintaining their core mission of responding safely and effectively to emergencies to protect public safety.