Be cautious before stepping on frozen surfaces: NPSAR

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – As the snow begins to melt, the North Peace Search and Rescue caution residents against stepping on ice surfaces.

Search manager and president Brian Lamond says residents should be aware of the ice thickness before even stepping on the ice as it begins to deteriorate with the warm weather.

“Drill a hole, do some investigation work. Determine if there is any floating ice… Is there standing water on the top of the ice? Is there a breakage of the shore? Is there signs of deterioration of that ice?” says Lamond.

He believes it’s hard to give definitive instructions for those looking to go on the ice. He notes clear ice is generally the strongest.

The NPSAR hasn’t had calls of anyone going through ice surfaces, but they have been called for people stuck on the Charlie Lake.

“We’ve had some instances where people have been caught out on ice flows, or they’ve been on the ice, and all of a sudden the ice is moving or they’re out there paddling with their kayaks or canoes, and the ice has moved, and they get blocked, and then they can’t get back onto shore.”

Lamont reminds residents of the current fluctuation in temperatures; ice conditions can change drastically.

Charlie Lake took its first vehicle of the season in November. A pickup truck was submerged after a driver wanted to cross the lake to go ice fishing, but the surface wasn’t frozen enough. The driver was safe and did not sustain any injuries.

North Peace Search and Rescue is a volunteer service in Fort St. John and the surrounding area focusing on promoting outdoor knowledge and safety for all recreationists in the outdoors.

According to Adventure Smart, residents should stay off the ice if the depth is three inches or less.

For more ice safety information, head to Adventure Smart’s website.