Kingston Fire and Rescue issued a public safety alert on February 11, 2026, warning residents in Kingston, Ontario, to stay away from all local frozen waterways. Fire officials say that changing temperatures have made ice surfaces unstable and dangerous for anyone walking or skating on them.
According to data from Environment Canada, temperatures in the area dropped to -12.5°C on Thursday night. This cold snap followed several days where the weather moved between freezing and melting, which prevents ice from becoming strong enough to hold the weight of people or vehicles.
The safety alert follows an earlier incident in December 2025 where two men fell through the ice on Dog Lake and required a rescue that lasted over two hours. The Ontario Provincial Police has also issued regional notices this winter stating that no ice should be considered safe to stand on due to the unstable conditions.
Long-range forecasts from the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted that the 2025–2026 winter would be warmer than usual with less snow than average. These mild conditions often result in ice that may look solid on the surface but remains thin or hollow underneath.
Emergency responders are asking the public to report any hazards or sightings of people on the ice by calling 911. Staying off frozen surfaces helps prevent life-threatening accidents and protects firefighters from having to perform risky rescues in the water.
