Thinning ice around Lake Tahoe becoming a safety concern for humans and pets

Warming temperatures and the arrival of spring bring not only flowers and the appearance of grass to the Lake Tahoe Basin, but they also bring dangerous thin ice.

In an incident Friday, a local woman was out walking two dogs when they ran onto the ice which broke, and both dogs fell into the cold water at Cove East near the Tahoe Keys. With assistance by a nearby paddle boarder the dogs were rescued, but this brings to light how serious the thinning ice can be.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue trains for ice rescues and will come out to emergencies like this, no matter if the victim is human or a pet. On Friday, in the panic of saving her dogs didn't think of calling 911, something many don't realize is an option.

"Let the people trained in ice rescue respond and prevent a catastrophe," said SLTFR Captain Kim George.

Even with storms due in Lake Tahoe this week, temperatures won't be cold enough to firm up the already thinning ice. On Monday, the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) issued an emergency safety declaration for their lagoons and Lake Tallac.

Ice Safety Rules from TKPOA:
1. For your safety, do not attempt to walk or run onto, play on, skate, sled or ski on or allow your pets to be on the lagoons, lakes and waterways when frozen.
2. Do not throw rocks, trash or other items onto or into the TKPOA lagoons and waterways.
3. Don't play on the ice along the shore, even if the ice appears solid.
4. Parents and caregivers should not leave children unattended near lake and lagoon ice.
5. If an individual should see someone else falling through the ice, do not attempt to make a rescue by yourself by going out onto the ice. Try to throw a life ring, flotation device or rope for the victim to hold on to. Call 911 as quickly as possible. Be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.
6. Association Management, Employees, and TKPOA Security Department are responsible for ensuring these Rules are complied with and enforced.
7. The TKPOA reserves the right to post "Ice Safety" signs in designated areas advising of the potential danger, and a disclaimer of association liability or responsibility for persons not observing these rules.

SLTFR Chief Jeff Meston said just two weeks ago members from the department were out on the ice at Tahoe Keys to conduct training. To test the ice, all of them jumped up and down simultaneously on the ice and they couldn't break it.

Fast forward just 14 days and that is a different story.

Besides the Tahoe Keys, ice on Sawmill Pond and Lake Baron is also starting to break apart.