With temperatures anticipated to hover around 7C both today and tomorrow (January 12 and 13), Cochrane RCMP is reminding people to be cautious if headed out to Ghost Lake especially if the warm weather sticks around.

Usually, at least once a year, Cochrane RCMP will respond to a call of a vehicle going through the ice on the Ghost.

Corporal Troy Savinkoff, reminds residents that Ghost Lake is not signed with precautionary reminders nor is it tested for thickness. "There is a lot of realities when it comes to putting a vehicle on the lake and there is a reason why insurance companies won't cover you if your vehicle goes into the water. It's never good practice but certainly, people have to be extremely cautious of the quality of ice because I don't believe it's tested in any way so people have to err on the side of caution."

When a concern about safety call comes in, Cochrane RCMP would generally be the first deployed emergency service on the site before determining if the efforts of Cochrane Fire Services or any other back resources would be required. "In the circumstances where everyone is safe and no one is hurt, the second part of this is who pays for the removal of that vehicle from the lake?! These situations can start to cause a great deal of expense as well."

While ice thickness may be okay and not a concern currently if you do happen to notice anyone in distress either call 911 or the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 in a nonemergency situation.