CALGARY- The incredibly warm weather Calgary is experiencing this January has now prompted a warning from the city’s first responders about the dangers posed by balmy temperatures.
Fire officials say they are concerned after several people were seen climbing onto the ice breaking up in the Bow River this week.
“Ice is so unpredictable,” said Carol Henke with the Calgary Fire Department. “There’s no way of knowing the thickness. When it’s wedged together like that, it can release at any time and there’s no predicting that. It is incredibly dangerous.”
With the unusually warm weather, Calgarians aren’t just heading towards the river this January, but also taking part in other activities not usually possible in winter and officials say that can be dangerous as well.
Motorcycles have been seen riding on city streets this week and police say while it may seem dry, there are still patches of black ice on roads and loose gravel and dirty vehicle windows are combining to create safety issues for motorcyclists.
“Your visibility… could be not the same as in the summertime,” said Inspector Ken Thrower with the Calgary Police. “And your skills and that road and pea gravel is really suspect right now.”
Police are also warning people who drive vehicles of any kind clean their windshields, windows, and side mirrors as well as staying alert and watching for motorcycles.
It’s not just people in motorized vehicles facing hazards as a result of the warm weather. Cyclists are also enjoying the weather but dealing with icy patches on trails.
“Some areas are bad so you really have to be careful,” said one cyclist. “So just ride slow.”
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