HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Conservation officers are conducting snowmobile patrols in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to promote safety and enforce state laws.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says weekend patrols started Jan. 11 along the state-managed trail system in Houghton County and on Jan. 12 in Ontonagon County.

The patrols continue as the DNR says police agencies in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula investigated the deaths Friday of two snowmobilers in Gogebic County and one each in Luce, Alger and Kalkaska counties.

This winter, the DNR says six snowmobilers have died in the Upper Peninsula and three in the Lower Peninsula.

The patrols allow officers to remind snowmobilers about safety messages, enforce violations and remove operators who are drinking and driving from trails. Safety and enforcement patrols will continue throughout the winter.