There have been more incidents on Brome Lake this year with residents falling through the ice.

The lake is host to many winter activities, such as, skating, skidooing, kite boarding, ice fishing. It is a popular tourist and winter sport destination.

The end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 have seen above average temperatures.

“We haven’t reached the usual freezing temperatures yet for this time of year,” stated Richard Burcombe, Mayor of Brome Lake.

According to the town, constant weather pattern changes are causing the lake ice to be unstable. Without the freezing temperatures over longer periods of time the lake is unable to form a thick, strong layer of ice. Heavy rain fall is one of the main contributors.

At least an ice thickness of four inches is recommended for safe walking on the lake or ice fishing without equipment, five inches for snowmobiles, ATVs, ice fishing huts, 8-12 in for a car, and 12-15 in for a medium truck, according to the Société de sauvetage.

“All fishing, access for anybody to go on the lake, walking or with VTT will be prohibited,” explained Burcombe.

The four access points owned by the municipality with be closed until further notice.

“These measures are necessary because in the last week we had about 10 incidents where people fell through the ice,” said Burcombe.

Before going out on the water, the mayor is reminding residents to check the ice thickness to ensure it is safe.

“It’s not just to protect their lives, or for them to be injured, or whatever, it is also for the firemen and the first responders or all the people that have to answer to go out there to get them out of the water. It’s a danger for them too, so for everybody’s safety these are the measures that we have put in place,” explained Burcombe.

Here is Mayor Burcombe: