THUNDER BAY — Officials are urging residents to stay away from open waterways as spring rains and fluctuating temperatures create hazardous conditions across the region.
In the past couple of weeks, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has already conducted two separate water rescues. Most recently, two people from the Neebing River, and another incident at Fisherman's Wharf.
In an email exchange with Newswatch, deputy fire chief Martin Hynna said there were a number of incidents that firefighters were called out to last year.
In 2024, there were 14 incidents: four were categorized as being a disabled/abandoned watercraft, four as false alarms, but there were six rescues.
Compared to 2023, this was almost a 30 per cent increase, as there were only 10 water calls that year. Five of the calls were false alarms, and only three required rescue action from crews.
2022 had eight incidents, with only one call being a rescue.
And across all the Great Lakes, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (staffed with Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces personnel) in Trenton reports that over 3,600 water rescues were performed in 2024.
Emergency responders are particularly concerned about children and pets, who may not recognize the dangers of fast-moving water.
Families are encouraged to keep a safe distance and use caution when walking near shorelines, bridges, or trails close to water.
Any activities around water should be done with caution, at all times, but especially at the start of the spring season.
There are some tips to keep everyone safe, including:
- Perform a vessel check and ensuring you have the right safety gear.
- Leave a trip plan with someone ashore. Your trip plan should include where you’re going, for how long, and when you will be back.
- Be sure you know the rules of navigation before heading out. Many on-water accidents and injuries can be avoided this way, know before you go.
- Don’t drink alcohol on the water. Alcohol impairs judgment and reduces your ability to stay warm in the water.
- Have plans, and be ready, to bail in case of bad weather. There’s always tomorrow, don’t risk it.
- If in doubt, don't go out. Playing it safe is always the right call.
- Always, always, always wear a life-jacket.
Residents are reminded to be very cautious around waterways. High moving spring runoff is extremely dangerous, particularly due to the recent rainfall amounts received throughout the region.
Additionally, changing ice conditions are unpredictable this time of year, and residents are reminded to stay off any remaining ice.
