Merrill Fire Department

10/10/2026

We are very appreciative and grateful to the Bierman Family Foundation for this incredible donation. Formal press release coming soon

The five departments in Lincoln County — Merrill, Tomahawk, Russell, Pine River and Corning — applied and were approved for funding from the Bierman Foundation to upgrade their safety gear,

10/09/2026

YESTERDAY WAS A MAJOR DAY IN FIRE SERVICE HISTORY

🚒 The Great Chicago Fire & The Great Peshtigo Fire

155 years ago, on October 8, 1871, two of the most devastating fires in American history began on the very same day.

🔥 The Great Chicago Fire – Chicago, Illinois

The Great Chicago Fire burned from October 8–10, 1871, destroying more than 17,000 buildings, leaving approximately 100,000 people homeless, and claiming an estimated 300 lives.

🔥 The Great Peshtigo Fire – Peshtigo, Wisconsin

On that same night, a massive wildfire swept through northeastern Wisconsin, destroying the town of Peshtigo and surrounding communities.

The Peshtigo Fire burned approximately 1.2 million acres and claimed an estimated 1,200–2,500 lives, making it the deadliest wildfire in recorded United States history.

🇺🇸 Two Fires. One Night. A Lasting Legacy.

While the Great Chicago Fire became nationally known, the Peshtigo Fire remains one of the most tragic and often overlooked disasters in American history — right here in our home state of Wisconsin.

These tragedies serve as powerful reminders of how quickly fire can spread, the devastating impact it can have on communities, and the importance of fire prevention, preparedness, and education.

Learn from the past. Prepare for the future.

10/08/2026

Yesterday was the anniversary of Chief Adlord Talbot's Line of Duty Death (LODD). The second recognized LODD in our department's history.

On the morning of October 7, 1941 Chief Adlord Talbot, age 60, failed to join his crew for morning shift change at the now former number one fire station, which still stands at 701 E 1st St. When his fellow firefighters went to check on him, they found Talbot dead in his bed of an apparent heart attack.

10/06/2026

Monday was the start of fire prevention education and our first day in the schools. Always nice to be back teaching our youth about fire safety.

10/05/2026

The crew went fishing yesterday and came back with a kayak launch pad. Never know what you’ll find on the Wisconsin River.

10/03/2026

News coverage of yesterday’s fire truck washing bet

The annual 'War on 64' football game has implications for 2 area fire chiefs involved in friendly bet.

WATCH HERE: https://www.wsaw.com/2026/10/02/friendly-wager-sees-local-fire-chief-washing-up/

10/02/2026

We had our annual special visitor at the fire station this morning. Chief Corey Smith from the City of Antigo Fire Department came to wash our fire truck as part of the annual wager between Chief Klug and him over the War on 64 football game last Friday. Good luck to the blue jays as they play they Rhinelander for homecoming tomorrow