The temperatures recently have been all over the place in recent weeks, with freeze and thaw happening on a regular basis. This has led some to wonder what the effect has been in recent weeks on bodies of water around the southeast, such as the Souris River here in Weyburn.

“No ice is safe ice,” explained Weyburn Fire Chief Simon Almond, talking about this philosophy when it comes to venturing out onto the ice. “We're never going to give you recommendations that says, whether it be four inches or six inches or eight inches, that you can go on the ice.”

Almond said for those who do go out on the ice to be cognizant of their surroundings. This includes having a plan on what to do if you go through the ice.

If you find yourself in a situation where you do break through, and go into the water, the Weyburn Fire Department does have members trained.

“We provide a water rescue team, and part of that team’s mandate is that you will go to ice rescues,” explained Almond. “We have the training, we have the equipment and things like that.”