The Kern County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team is issuing a warning about the Kern River, as the weather warms up and people are tempted to go into the water.

Sgt. Zack Brittle tells KGET-TV that the Killer Kern is pushing 14 times as much water through the canyon than it was last March, and that makes rescues nearly impossible.

Rescuers say never get into the river without a flotation device, or if you must, do so with a professional river guide.

Sean Michael Lisle