Foothill communities forum deals with wandering-bear issue in wake of Station fire

Bears are wandering in foot hill because they are in the search of food and were driven out because of the conditions. But officials told residents at a community meeting that human contact is rare.California Department of Fish and Game Lt. Marty Wall offered tips to two dozen residents who attended the Thursday forum organized by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) after several bear sightings had been reported in the area.Grass and brush growing in clearings created by the Station fire provide good springtime foraging for black bears. But he said the dry chaparral typical of the foothills doesn’t offer enough food, so bears come into residential areas to check out fruit trees, garbage cans, dog bowls, koi ponds and backyard barbecues.