Fire chief explains possible reasons for increase in house fires during winter months Fire chief explains possible reasons for increase in house fires during winter months By Joanna Bouras and Jared Goffinet | December 21, 2020 at 6:10 PM EST - Updated December 21 at 7:40 PM CINCINNATI (FOX19) - Nine people have died from fires in the Tri-State during December. An increase in house fires during the winter months is not uncommon, says one fire chief. With temperatures dropping and the holidays close, Deer Park Silverton Joint Fire District Chief Dennis Meador II says people are spending more time inside, which could explain the increase in fires.