Big Bear, CA, January 9th, 2016 – Winter temperatures in Big Bear Valley can vary greatly, but never get cold enough to create a safe, solid frozen surface on Big Bear Lake. Being on the lake ice is a violation of San Bernardino County Codes and Ordinances of the Municipal Water District, with maximum fines of up to $500.
More importantly, hypothermia and drowning are substantial risks of walking or playing on lake ice! Hypothermia occurs when the body begins to lose heat faster than it can produce it. Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, slow or slurred speech, incoherence, fumbling hands, stumbling, exhaustion, and drowsiness which causes loss of the use of limbs, disorientation, unconsciousness, and heart failure. With our winter lake temperatures dropping into the low 40’s and even the 30’s, hypothermia can set in within a matter of just a few short minutes. DON’T RISK YOUR LIFE, STAY OFF LAKE ICE!!
