Port Moody mudflats can trap you like 'quicksand,' fire officials warn

Port Moody fire officials are warning of mudflats in some areas that can act like quicksand.

The Port Moody Arm of the Burrard Inlet can appear deceiving, especially when the tide is low, officials say.

But it's one of the last bigmudflatson the inlet, and those who walk across it can sink into mud as deep as two-and-a-half metres.

Port Moody Fire Rescue held an exercise on Thursday to show the effort it takes to perform a mud rescue.

"It ties up a lot of our resources," said training captainRob Suzukovich.

Fire rescuers sometimesneed to use an air-cushion vehicle from the Canadian Coast Guard to access the area.

They use a water wand to liquify the mud before pulling out the trapped person.

Mud rescues on the rise

Suzukovich says he's seen an uptick in mud rescues in recent years as more people move to the area and use it recreationally.

The city's trails includes wooden boardwalks that wrap around the head of the inlet, but people are sometimes tempted to veer off trail, officials say.

"It seems that we come out here at least two or three times a year, more so in the summer months," Suzukovich said.

If you get stuck, officials advise to stay calm, avoid struggling to free yourself, yell for help and, if you have a phone, call 911.

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