Cochrane Fire Services is reminding residents to stay off the Bow River.

There has been an increase in the buildup of ice along the Bow over the past few weeks and while it may look stable and even inviting, Fire Inspector Jeff Avery with Cochrane Fire Services says that the river remains unpredictable and extremely dangerous.

"River ice is by far the most extremely dangerous ice you'll ever come across," says Avery. "The river is always fluctuating and even though it doesn't look like it's moving that fast if you do fall through the river ice that current is going to hold you under there. If you do fall through your chance of survival is pretty low."

Recently a Calgary woman died after going into the Bow River to rescue a dog. Avery says that Cochrane fire Services has seen its fair share of residents chasing after their dogs on river ice, and says that the message to "keep off" bears reminding.

"We've been to four or five calls over the past couple of years where dogs have gone out on the ice and every single time the dogs made it back on their own very safely," says Avery. "Dogs are good swimmers and dogs can negotiate off the ice."

He says that Cochrane Fire Services has actually responded to a similar situation in recent weeks, but thankfully this one had a different outcome.

"There was an individual who went out onto the ice to rescue his dog and thank goodness the gentleman and his dog were both safe so that a good ending," says Avery.

The fluctuating temperatures have contributed to extremely unpredictable river ice conditions.

Avery says that if a person falls through the ice, you should call 911 immediately.