REXBURG — Despite the warming weather, deer and moose are still spending time in the valley, as was evident by three car-versus-wildlife incidents over the weekend.

Fish and Game spokesman Greg Losinski says that wildlife are still roaming city streets, looking for greenery to eat.

“A lot of people think winter is over and that the interactions between humans and members of the deer family are over. It’s a year-round thing,” he said.

That was obvious, as on Saturday police responded to a car crash involving a deer on Highway 20 near mile marker 334. The car’s two occupants escaped injury, but the crash killed the deer. The car sustained serious damage.

The following day, a vehicle hit a moose at University Boulevard and Fifth West. While the car suffered damage, its occupants were spared injury. The crash broke the moose’s legs, making it unable to walk. Police put the moose down at the scene.

Also on Sunday, police responded to an injured deer in a ditch on North Second and East. It wasn’t clear what had hit the deer, but its injuries were enough for the police to shoot the deer.

Losinksi noted that the high country hasn’t opened up yet, causing wildlife to remain in the lower part of the valley.

“People need to be careful. If you live in this part of the world, you may encounter deer, elk and moose on the roadways and in town,” he said. “Moose come into town throughout the year — deer and elk not as often — but anything is possible where we live,” he said.

Losinski said he hadn’t heard about the Rexburg incidents but said he wasn’t shocked by it.

“Nothing surprises me as far as animals in town,” he said.

Losinski said that drivers stand to have a run in with deer or moose with their cars this time of year. He warned travelers to be careful.

“We do have numerous accidents that have resulted not just in injuries but in fatalities for humans. It’s important to be aware and especially now before the high areas open up. There are still plenty of members of the deer family down low,” he said.

For more information on wildlife in the region visit idfg.idaho.gov/region/upper-snake.

Fremont County Search and Rescue (FCSAR) units responded to a snowmobile accident around 11:37 a.m. on Monday near Henry’s Lake.

It’s believed that the man involved suffered severe injuries and those injuries were extensive enough to call in a Life Flight ambulance. Earlier on Monday, Life Flight officials landed in Ashton and were taken to Island Park, where they awaited the injured man.

According to FCSAR Secretary Eric Thomas, it took a considerable amount of time to retrieve the injured man from the accident scene.

“He did have an injury that required that we sled him out. With the banana sled — it’s a lightweight sled we can put a backboard in and strap him down. It makes things really slow coming out,” he said. “Apparently he was back up in some really extreme terrain.”

The weather also proved another challenge in retrieving the man, Thomas said.

“Up there they’ve got fog, and it’s snowing and blowing. It’s pretty bad. Visibility is really low,” he said.

The man was snowmobiling with friends who managed to walk to cellphone service and contact Fremont County Dispatch, Thomas said.

Thomas didn’t know the extent of the man’s injuries but believed they may be extensive.

“I suspect it’s pretty bad,” Thomas said.

It’s expected that the man will be taken to an area hospital for further treatment.

ASHTON — John Scafe is hoping and praying for more snow.

Like he has for 30 years, Scafe is helping organize the annual American Dog Derby, which this year is being held on its 100th anniversary. But without cool temperatures and snow, the centennial race can’t go on, he said.

For the past four weeks, Scafe has been doing what he calls “the snow dance” in hopes of urging the heavens to produce more of the white stuff — at least until after the dog derby scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18.

Friends beg Scafe to stop all that dancing for more snow.

“They’ll say, ‘Quit doing your snow dance, we’ve got enough.’ I say ‘Once the dog races are over, I don’t care what happens,’” he said.

The increasingly warm temperatures and resulting snow melt throughout the region have Scafe worried.

“I am very concerned, but I think there’s enough snow to run the dog derby,” he said.

This week, the U.S. National Weather Service expects Ashton temperatures to be at around 34 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday it’s anticipated to warm up by three degrees. A 20 percent chance of rain is also expected that day. On Friday the weather service expects temperatures to reach around 39 degrees, and it anticipates a 30 percent chance of rain that day as well.

Warm weather and rain, of course, translate into difficult sledding conditions. They also cause dogs to overheat and may cause them to break a bone as they try to maneuver through the melting snow.

“I’m struggling not to cancel anything, but my No. 1 priority is the safety of mushers and dogs. I don’t want any accidents. We have a real good record, and we want to keep it that way. The mushers understand that a weather change makes a lot of difference,” he said.

Scafe is confident that there will be plenty of snow on the trails.

“Everything actually looks a lot better than it did last year. It was questionable because of the snow conditions. I think we’re OK. I’m pretty confident,” he said.

Scafe says the best racing conditions are just a few degrees above zero.

“If it’s about 10 degrees and cloudy, that’s just about perfect weather,” he said.

The race starts at 8:30 a.m. on Main Street. There the city will bring in about five feet of snow, spreading it down the road to enabling the racers to start and head to the various trails.

Currently, 35 teams have pre-registered for the annual event.

“They’re coming from all over the country — from Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. We never know how many from year-to-year,” Scafe said.

Scafe expects that between the mushers and other visitors there will be an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 people at the race.

Other activities include a soup tasting, a dance, children’s snowshoeing and a Mutt Race, where families can have their own dogs pull sleds.

“It’s for any kind of sled. Kids can ride in a sled down a track for 50 yards. It’s just to have fun,” he said.

Scafe invited everyone to attend.

“Just come and have fun. Come watch the races. It’s exciting to see them start,” he said.

In the meantime, Scafe also asked everyone to beseech a higher power for more snow.

“I’m asking for prayers. We just need it for the next week. We’re going to put snow on order,” he said.

For more information on the upcoming dog derby visit www.americandogderby.com.

ISLAND PARK — Snowmobiling in Island Park is a family tradition for Diane Stock.

When Stock was a youngster, she and her family routinely visited the area each winter to snowmobile. As a result, it was only natural for her and her husband, Kevin, and their three children to snowmobile there as well.

This winter, the Stocks plan to continue their family tradition with their children’s spouses and grandson.

“I like being able to provide that experience for my kids,” she said.

Starting at the age of 8, Stock started snowmobiling in Island Park after her parents built their cabin here. She recalled as a youth riding in a “green cutter” attached to the back of her parents’ snowmobiles.

“It was kind of like a trail sleigh trailer,” she said. “That’s the only way we could get into the cabin. Nothing was plowed up there.”

Now as an adult, Stock is the one driving the snowmobile and says it’s quite exciting to do so.

“I just like the thrill of it,” she said. “I like being in control.”

Island Park is home to numerous snowmobile trails, such as Black Canyon Trail, Big Springs Loop, Grassy Lake Trail, Fish Creek Trail and Chick Creek Trail.

According to maps published by the U.S. Forest Service, the Ashton-Island Park Ranger District has hundreds of miles of snowmobiling trails.

“Generous amounts of snow combined with the area’s 500 miles of trails and almost endless off-trail riding makes Island Park, Idaho, a paradise for snowmobiling and a ‘bucket list’ location for any snowmobiler,” reads one article from American Snowmobiler magazine.

The Stocks particularly like Fish Creek and Chick Creek Trails.

“They give you some real beautiful vistas over the Island Park area,” she said.

The trails are well-maintained, and while perusing down the paths, the Stocks routinely spot signs of wildlife.

“We’ve seen mountain lion tracks,” she said. “Mostly you’ll see birds on the river. Every now and then you’ll see a moose. They just move along.”

Chick Creek and Fish Creek Roads also offer breathtaking scenery. The family especially enjoys the view off of Two Top.

“It’s between West Yellowstone and Island Park,” Stock said. “You can just see everywhere.”

Snowmobiling offers the Stocks the chance to get to places like the Railroad Bridge.

“You can go park on the bridge, turn your snowmobile off and look up and down the river at the snow. It’s just nice. It’s very calming,” she said.

Snowmobiling also takes them to places where they can’t get by any other means in the winter, Stock said.

“The only way you can get to Meadow Creek Lodge is on a snowmobile,” she said.

The Stocks prepare for any snowmobiling expedition by knowing what the weather is going to be like beforehand. They also check for any sort of avalanche danger. It always helps to have a plan.

“Make sure you know where you’re going. There are published trail maps that you can study before you go. Take one with you,” she said. “Wear a helmet, and take a cellphone so you’ll have some means of communication.”

Stock urged snowmobilers to always go with someone, to dress warmly and not to attempt anything that’s beyond their current snowmobiling ability.

“Just because somebody else is jumping their snowmobile doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for you to do, especially if you’ve never been on a snowmobile,” she said. “When you first go snowmobiling, find someone to go with you who has experience.”

Stock also warned of the various hazards that might appear on the trail. One of those is what she called “tree wells.”

“That’s the depression in the snow around a pine tree. The snow right up to the tree looks fine, but there’s a deep pocket around the tree you can’t see. It’s hidden water,” Stock said. “For example, there could be a small stream that the snow is covering up.”

She also urged snowmobilers to avoid driving through what looks like mounds of snow along the trail.

“Don’t assume that everything that looks like a bump in front of you is a bump of snow. It could be a log or a branch. Be aware of the terrain,” she said.

What’s the best snow to snowmobile on?

“It’s powder on top of a solid base. If you go out through the powder fresh and deep, you’ll get stuck. I hate getting stuck,” she said.

For more information on Fremont County snowmobile trails visit www.co.fremont.id.us/departments/parks_rec/index.htm and click on “Snowmobiling.”

ISLAND PARK — Snowmobiling in Island Park is a family tradition for Diane Stock.

When Stock was a youngster, she and her family routinely visited the area each winter to snowmobile. As a result, it was only natural for her and her husband, Kevin, and their three children to snowmobile there as well.

This winter, the Stocks plan to continue their family tradition with their children’s spouses and grandson.

“I like being able to provide that experience for my kids,” she said.

Starting at the age of 8, Stock started snowmobiling in Island Park after her parents built their cabin here. She recalled as a youth riding in a “green cutter” attached to the back of her parents’ snowmobiles.

“It was kind of like a trail sleigh trailer,” she said. “That’s the only way we could get into the cabin. Nothing was plowed up there.”

Now as an adult, Stock is the one driving the snowmobile and says it’s quite exciting to do so.

“I just like the thrill of it,” she said. “I like being in control.”

Island Park is home to numerous snowmobile trails, such as Black Canyon Trail, Big Springs Loop, Grassy Lake Trail, Fish Creek Trail and Chick Creek Trail.

According to maps published by the U.S. Forest Service, the Ashton-Island Park Ranger District has hundreds of miles of snowmobiling trails.

“Generous amounts of snow combined with the area’s 500 miles of trails and almost endless off-trail riding makes Island Park, Idaho, a paradise for snowmobiling and a ‘bucket list’ location for any snowmobiler,” reads one article from American Snowmobiler magazine.

The Stocks particularly like Fish Creek and Chick Creek Trails.

“They give you some real beautiful vistas over the Island Park area,” she said.

The trails are well-maintained, and while perusing down the paths, the Stocks routinely spot signs of wildlife.

“We’ve seen mountain lion tracks,” she said. “Mostly you’ll see birds on the river. Every now and then you’ll see a moose. They just move along.”

Chick Creek and Fish Creek Roads also offer breathtaking scenery. The family especially enjoys the view off of Two Top.

“It’s between West Yellowstone and Island Park,” Stock said. “You can just see everywhere.”

Snowmobiling offers the Stocks the chance to get to places like the Railroad Bridge.

“You can go park on the bridge, turn your snowmobile off and look up and down the river at the snow. It’s just nice. It’s very calming,” she said.

Snowmobiling also takes them to places where they can’t get by any other means in the winter, Stock said.

“The only way you can get to Meadow Creek Lodge is on a snowmobile,” she said.

The Stocks prepare for any snowmobiling expedition by knowing what the weather is going to be like beforehand. They also check for any sort of avalanche danger. It always helps to have a plan.

“Make sure you know where you’re going. There are published trail maps that you can study before you go. Take one with you,” she said. “Wear a helmet, and take a cellphone so you’ll have some means of communication.”

Stock urged snowmobilers to always go with someone, to dress warmly and not to attempt anything that’s beyond their current snowmobiling ability.

“Just because somebody else is jumping their snowmobile doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for you to do, especially if you’ve never been on a snowmobile,” she said. “When you first go snowmobiling, find someone to go with you who has experience.”

Stock also warned of the various hazards that might appear on the trail. One of those is what she called “tree wells.”

“That’s the depression in the snow around a pine tree. The snow right up to the tree looks fine, but there’s a deep pocket around the tree you can’t see. It’s hidden water,” Stock said. “For example, there could be a small stream that the snow is covering up.”

She also urged snowmobilers to avoid driving through what looks like mounds of snow along the trail.

“Don’t assume that everything that looks like a bump in front of you is a bump of snow. It could be a log or a branch. Be aware of the terrain,” she said.

What’s the best snow to snowmobile on?

“It’s powder on top of a solid base. If you go out through the powder fresh and deep, you’ll get stuck. I hate getting stuck,” she said.

For more information on Fremont County snowmobile trails visit www.co.fremont.id.us/departments/parks_rec/index.htm and click on “Snowmobiling.”

ISLAND PARK — A Rexburg man suffered injury after attempting to put out a fire at his parent’s cabin early Christmas morning. Eleven of his family members, including one infant, escaped the fire without injury. Just after they escaped flames engulfed the structure, which was completed last December.

Levi Beck’s family awoke around 2:30 a.m. on Christmas day to a fire spreading through the cabin’s chimney. Unable to extinguish the flames, the family quickly escaped. In the meantime, Beck climbed a ladder near the fireplace in hopes of putting out the fire. Shortly after, he fell about 20 feet. An ambulance transported him to Madison Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released.

“It was a hot one. It did destroy the entire cabin,” said Fremont County Dispatch official Mitch Lens.

Fremont County Sheriff’s officers, Island Park Fire District and the South Fremont Fire District responded to the fire.

“We don’t have any burns but plenty of singed hair. We were able to get all the Christmas gifts and a few pictures (out), but that’s all,” he said.

Levi Beck arrived at the hospital around 6 a.m., where doctors treated him for two fractured bones in his back and a herniated disc.

The hospital released him several hours later.

“I can walk right now, but I won’t be able to work for six weeks. I’m very sore. I can’t move very much without hurting, (but) it’s tolerable with the medicine they gave me,” he said.

A newlywed, Levi Beck married his wife, Ciarra, in September 2015.

“My wife is being very strong and is helping everyone fight through this,” he said.

Later on Christmas Day the family opened presents at David and Pam Beck’s Rexburg home. While doing so, the family was most grateful for having survived the fire, Levi Beck said.

“The mood was ‘glad to get presents but very upset about losing our cabin.’ It meant everything to our family,” he said.

The Beck family owns and operates D.L. Beck Incorporated, where Levi Beck serves as a concrete finisher, framer and laborer.

He said climbing a ladder is just a part of his job, and so it wasn’t a challenge for him to do so when the chimney caught on fire.

“I’m on ladders all the time; (I’m) running up and down them all the time,” he said.

The cabin was owned by Beck’s parents, David and Pam Beck. Levi, his wife Ciarra, one brother and three sisters and their spouses and one child were at the cabin when the fire broke out. The entire family hails from Rexburg.

“My mom woke up and felt like something was wrong. (She) walked around and looked at the fireplace. About 20 feet up, the wall was glowing red. She started yelling for help,” Levi Beck said.

It’s believed that a fire lit earlier got out of control. The family noticed it as it spread up the chimney. At that point everyone started grabbing garden hoses and fire extinguishers.

“My Dad was up on a shelf above the fireplace trying to put the fire out with a garden hose. As I was climbing the ladder with a fire extinguisher, I got to the top of the ladder.

The next I knew, the ladder slid out, and I fell on my back on an end table near the fireplace,” he said.

Beck’s family helped him out of the cabin, and an ambulance crew later transported him to Madison Memorial Hospital.

David and Pam Beck arrived at their cabin Thursday night, and by Saturday afternoon the rest of their family joined them.

The Beck family started building their cabin in 2012 and finished it last year. A four-story building, it came with seven bedrooms large enough to sleep 23 people in total.

Prior to building their own cabin, the Beck family spent the Christmas and New Year holidays at rented cabins for several years. They eventually decided to build their own.

“We built the cabin as a getaway for family and friends to just enjoy and relax,” he said. “We put a lot of time and effort into it.”

Levi Beck says the family will never forget the Christmas of 2016. The cabin was insured.

“We’re not sure how long it will take to rebuild. We hope not too long,” he said.

Beck credited his mother’s intuition for helping spare everyone from further injury.

“All we cared about was getting everyone out and trying to not let the fire take our cabin,” he said.

Levi Beck has health insurance, but a GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with various expenses. To donate, and for more information, visit www.gofundme.com/davidbeckfamily.

REXBURG — A wolf that escaped from the Yellowstone Bear World Saturday morning was quickly shot and killed by its owner. No injuries were reported while the animal was at large.

Idaho Fish and Game Regional Conservation Officer and Enforcement Supervisor Doug Peterson, of Idaho Falls, reported that owner Courtney Ferguson quickly noticed the animal had escaped the Bear World enclosure and immediately took action.

“The wolf was out for about an hour. Courtney saw the tracks in the snow, tracked the wolf down and shot it,” he said. “He took care of it all by himself and relatively quickly and easily.”

Social media lit up on Saturday with residents concerned about the animal’s escape. One photographer managed to get a picture of the wolf shortly before Ferguson shot the animal.

Peterson said that in the 28 years that he’s worked in the Upper Valley region, he’s never heard of an animal escaping from Bear World, which is about eight miles southwest of Rexburg. Yet he has heard of other animals bolting from other wildlife facilities.

“We’ve had elk escape from domestic elk farms,” he said.

Ferguson doesn’t face any kind of charges for the wolf escaping, and this particular wolf isn’t listed as an endangered species, Peterson said.

“There is a distinction between private property and wild animals. That was private property for Mr. Ferguson. This wolf wasn’t the same as the wolves we hunt during the hunting season. The wolves we hunt belong to the citizens of Idaho. This particular wolf of Courtney’s belonged to him,” he said.

Ferguson couldn’t be reached for comment, and it wasn’t known the value of the wolf that he killed.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for Mr. Ferguson and his operation,” Peterson said.

Located five miles south of Rexburg on Highway 20, Bear World is home to everything from deer to bears to wolves. According to its webpage, Bear World considers itself to be a “leader in the drive-through wild animal preserve industry.” It also states its mission is “To motivate and increase public awareness in the management of natural resources for conservation, education, scientific and recreational purposes.”

The facility reports that none of the animals within the enclosure were taken from the wild. Instead all have been born and raised inside Bear World.

“Yellowstone Bear World allows wildlife to roam freely within huge acreages as opposed to living their lives in small inadequate cages. By roaming freely in the preserve, visitors of all ages and nationalities can gain a fuller knowledge and understanding of these particular species that commonly surround us but (are) rarely seen or understood,” writes the organization.

Bear World is currently closed for the season. For more information visit yellowstonebearworld.com.