Kamloops Fire Rescue is asking residents to stay off of ice on the North and South Thompson rivers.

Sections of both rivers have frozen over, after last week’s cold snap, but KFR says river ice is always unpredictable because of currents below. The department says thin ice or thick ice on the rivers will usually look the same from the surface.

“It first forms as pack ice with extremely weak seams, especially where a strong current is flowing beneath it. Pack ice can break loose in very large sections without warning. Due to the annual shifting of the river bottom, areas that may have been very shallow water or sandbars in the past may be deep water now.”

KFR public fire and life safety educator Jamie Chase says people need to be wary of their pets around the rivers as well.

“Every year, KFR responds to reports of pets falling through the ice, often because they were chasing after wildlife or another pet,” Chase says. “Occasionally, we have to rescue pet owners when they try to go after their pets and end up falling through themselves.

“If your pet breaks through the ice, call 911. We will respond. Do not risk going onto the ice yourself.

KFR says to take the same approach if you see another person fall through ice, and to throw that person a rope or a branch or another item to grab onto if they manage to get out on their own.

If you fall into ice on the river, KFR says to keep your head above water and control your breathing and keep your hands on the ice, while trying to pull yourself up onto your stomach before rolling towards the shore. If you’ve been in the ice for more than 10 minutes, KFR says to anchor yourself and stop kicking, to preserve your energy, while still calling for help.