Amid unseasonably warm temperatures, area police are urging the public to be careful when venturing on area lakes and rivers.
Officials with the Thunder Bay detachment of the OPP say ice thickness may not be the same as it has been in previous years around this time. Usually around January, this area has already experienced cold snaps of -20C to -30C.
Some of the area lakes have up to a foot of ice thickness, however, police say that thickness could be questionable around islands and rivers where there are varying currents.
Police are asking the public to avoid fast moving rivers and water near hydro dams.
Police are also advising people about the recommended ice thickness for the following:
• Weight of a person; 10 centimetres or four inches
• A snowmobile; 12 centimetres or five inches
• A motor vehicle; 30 to 38 centimetres or 12 to 15 inches
