Fresh off of a water rescue Monday, Spokane fire crews are voicing their concerns about the Spokane River and the danger it presents to the public. Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the river is running fast, high and cold and is not safe for recreation.
"Oftentimes people suffer the effects from hypothermia and don't realize it at first," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer said mountain snow runoff makes for extremely cold conditions. He said if you get swept up in the current, your body instinctively goes into survival mode -- which can actually complicate rescue efforts.