SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Every year the Yellowknife fire department gets approximately 10 reports of people going through the ice on lakes around the city, estimates Fire Chief Darcy Hernblad.

A large pick-up truck fell through the ice on Pontoon Lake earlier this week. The fire department is warning people to stay off the ice all together now that spring is here. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo What to do if you fall in the ice Remain calm and look toward the shore. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice. Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet; this will help assist you in keeping your body horizontal and help you "swim" out of the hole in the ice. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again; if this doesn't work, keep trying. Once you are lying on the ice, don't stand up. Instead roll away from the hole. Crawl back through your original track and ensure that your weight is spread out until you are on solid ice or on shore. Seek immediate medical assistance Source: City of Yellowknife

A pick-up truck broke through the ice on Pontoon Lake earlier this week but no calls have come in yet for incidents within city limits.

"I'm sure it will be coming soon because ice conditions are changing very rapidly with these temperatures," said Hernblad.

"The ice is really starting to deteriorate with the temperatures and the sun."

Some 2.4 millimetres of rain fell April 30, which greatly weakens the ice.

The truck at Pontoon Lake sunk about 100 metres from the boat launch on an ice road and close to popular ice fishing spot. Flagging tape crossed the boat launch entrance Thursday, warning drivers to stay off the ice. The ice at the hole where the truck fell through is visibly candled.

A water resource officer with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources visited the Pontoon Lake site this week, as the department is responsible for overseeing the cleanup of any hazardous effluents that might be released as a result.

"There is currently no evidence of leakage from the vehicle," said Judy McLinton, department spokesperson in an e-mail to Yellowknifer.

"ENR will continue to monitor the site until the vehicle has been removed and it is determined there are no further impacts."

The incident goes to show that being cautious on lakes is critical this time of year.

While the Great Slave Snowmobile Association measures ice depth in late fall, letting the public know when the required six-inch depth is met, Hernblad said depth is not measured during the spring breakup.

"We just say, this time of year just stay off the ice," said Hernblad. "In the winter, when the ice is considered really good, there are still bad areas. This time of year, all areas are bad."

The RCMP has not responded to any incidents of people falling through the ice, said Const. Elenore Sturko, though she also urged caution.

"At this time of year when the ice gets rotten people need to be really careful and not take chances if they don't have to," said Sturko.

While staying off the ice is the main message, Hernblad offered a few tips, should someone fall through.

"First and most important, remain calm and don't panic. Put your arms and hands up on the edge of the ice if you break through and start kicking with your feet to try to pull yourself up on the ice," he said. "Don't stand up, roll away from the hole. If you stand up, you might break through again, you want to displace your weight."

Lastly, he said if people are going to be out on the ice, it's best not to be alone - although, again he said ideally just stay off.

Hernblad said, "We've had a long winter, everybody had lots of fun on the ice but it's time to call it."

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