Grand Junction Fire Department firefighters were out at the Butterfly Pond at Las Colonias Park on Monday training for river rescues in frozen water.
During the winter months, icy conditions on nearby ponds, lakes and rivers can be very dangerous for children and pet owners in the Grand Valley.
GJFD spokesperson Ellis Thompson-Ellis said last year firefighters weren’t called to any ice rescues during the winter but the year before they went on “close to a dozen.”
“It really depends on the winter,” she said. “Last year, we didn’t have much ice. We had a pretty warm and dry winter and didn’t have consistent ice on our ponds on in our parks”
Typically, the ice rescues GJFD firefighters are called to involve a pet falling through the ice. GJPD advises pet owners to immediately call 911 and to never try to rescue the pets themselves. They put themselves, their dog and anyone who helps at greater risk by attempting it themselves.