Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

UP snowmobiling fatal-free this winter

Although the Upper Peninsula hosted thousands of snowmobilers earlier this winter when there was little snow elsewhere, there have been no fatal accidents this winter, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

The MDNR’s fatality report, last updated on March 3, indicated four fatal accidents in the state.

That compares to the 2015-’16 winter season when the state recorded 24 fatalities, with the last one occurring on March 5, 2016, when a snowmobiler struck a deer in Presque Isle County.

Last winter, there were 12 U.P. snowmobile fatalities, including one apiece in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties.

Marquette and Houghton counties each recorded two fatalities last winter, according to MDNR statistics.

The MDNR stepped up its snowmobile enforcement efforts this winter with several roving weekend trail checks.

Wisconsin had recorded 16 snowmobile fatalities this winter as of Tuesday, with three happening in Iron County.

—Ralph Ansami