Officials of the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry advised today that a string of unseasonably warm weather and recent precipitation has left ice conditions unsafe at the lake. O’Keefe Lake is a popular ice-fishing location in the province.

Environment officials who visited the lake Sunday found a mixture of snow, slush and water overlaying between 7 and 8 inches of weak ice. The surface was deemed to be unsafe for use.

“Ice conditions across the province are becoming treacherous with all of the recent warm weather the Island has been experiencing. A fall through the ice at this time of year presents a risk of death from drowning or hypothermia. We strongly advise everyone to avoid going out on the ice of our lakes and watercourses unless ice conditions improve,” said Gerald MacDougall, manager of the department’s Fish and Wildlife Section.