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Warming temps has made area ice covers hazardous

With springtime weather hitting the local area over the past couple of weeks, rain, sunshine and rising temperatures have been undermining the thickness and integrity of what was once solid ice over Lake Superior in the Marquette and Munising areas.

Law enforcement and fire department officials have been warning the public over the past week of unstable ice conditions and, in the case of Alger County, a large crack in the ice of the East Channel of Munising Bay, off Sand Point and Grand Island.

Despite the local warnings, anglers and others have been braving the area’s failing ice, posing danger to themselves and others who might act to attempt to rescue someone fallen through the thin ice.

Thursday night, Marquette firefighters and U.S. Coast Guard members rescued two Northern Michigan University students from an ice floe which broke off and was drifting north, about 500 yards from shore in Middle Bay.

This was one of several ice rescue incidents over the past few weeks.

We understand the allure of the ice, especially for anglers who often find fishing best as the ice is breaking up. However, a couple of trout or salmon isn’t worth the risk of life by standing on thinning ice a good distance from shore, especially around river mouths and channels where currents are providing an additional force working to undermine the ice.

We think if anglers want to brave the ice and cold water, use a boat and a life jacket. For those just interested in exploring the ice, don’t. We agree with police, fire and Coast Guard officials – the ice is not safe and should be avoided.

So far, those who have fallen through into the lake have been lucky – all have been safely brought back to shore. Let’s keep the odds solidly in our favor by staying off the ice.

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