Please call 9-1-1 if you see that someone has fallen through the ice or is in distress.
The City of Yellowknife Fire Division strongly recommends that you stay off the ice until it measures 6 inches thick. Please be careful when traveling on the ice, especially in a vehicle or on a machine, and keep these tips in mind:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Travel with a partner
- Carry dry clothing and an emergency kit including matches, a whistle, and rope
- If travelling in a group (when snowmobiling), spread out when stopped (to spread the weight across the ice sheet)
- Carry a form of communication to call for help if you break through the ice
- Stay off the rivers; flowing water under the ice creates very thin ice even in cold temperatures
- Leave a detailed travel plan with someone, including your destination, route, and an expected return date/time
- If you are unsure of the ice thickness, drill a test hole or stay off the ice
Each year the City partners with the Great Slave Snowmobile Association to conduct ice testing on lakes in proximity to the City.