Cochrane Fire Services is reminding the public to practice ice safety when near the Bow River or any other body of water, especially as ice begins to thin.
With spring-like weather comes ice melt and unstable conditions, and fire inspector Jeff Avery is adamant that people steer clear and never underestimate ice surfaces, regardless of the season.
"The number one thing that everybody needs to remember, at really any time of year and no matter the temperature, is that no ice is safe ice," Avery said.
Ice on retention ponds, rivers, lakes and creeks is particularly dangerous as temperatures warm with the onset of spring.
"It's even worse now that ice is starting to thin," he said.
"River ice is by far the most dangerous ice you're going to come across because it's always fluctuating in places or breaking off. There's void spaces and when river levels rise or lower, it just breaks the ice all over the place."
The ice can be extremely unstable, making rescues dangerous for firefighters as well, despite having special training for these circumstances.
Even where the ice may appear to be thick, it's not to be trusted.
"If you were to fall through the ice and land in the water below, and you get stuck underneath, your chances of survival would be very low," said Avery.
Even when the town experiences frigid temperatures that fall below -30 C, the Bow River remains flowing and the current is powerful enough to impede the strongest of swimmers.
"Stay off it and nothing will happen. You're just asking for trouble if you're venturing onto any kind of ice right now."
If anyone sees someone stepping foot onto a dangerous ice surface, Avery said they should not hesitate to call 911.
"We've had numerous phone calls where people are walking around the edges and stuff like that, so we'll go there and educate them if they're still there," he said.
"We'll educate and educate and educate, and keep on educating so the message gets through. We want to thank the residents of Cochrane for keeping a lookout."
Fortunately, the message is hitting home and Cochrane Fire has not had to perform any rescues this year, said Avery, which means the public and fire services are doing their job.
"Always remember that no ice is safe ice," he said. "I can't say that enough."
