NJFFSA16
08-30-2002, 04:30 AM
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - Southern Oregon's massive Biscuit fire has
displaced up to several hundred black bears, which are now hanging
around fire crews looking for leftover food and drinking from water
tanks, state biologists say.
Biologists fear these encounters eventually could cause problems
for area residents once the fire is out.
There was also at least one report of a firefighter feeding
portions of his lunch to a black bear, and another bear sat on a
truck trailer for several minutes despite efforts to shoo it away.
"These bears are looking for a free handout of food," said
biologist Mark Vargas of the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife. "And that can definitely create some problems, some
conflicts, down the line."
Once bears associate humans with food, these normally reclusive
omnivores can begin seeking out people or residences in search of
easy meals.
Many of these bears have lived in seclusion in the Siskiyou
National Forest's Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area, so associating tasty
sandwiches and cool water with people is a dangerous lesson for
them to learn.
"Once they've developed that attraction, it'll be virtually
impossible, a nightmare, to get rid of them," said John Thiebes,
another ODFW biologist.
And the stakes are high for residents and the bruins. ODFW
policy is to kill damage-causing bears because trapping and
relocating them just pushes the problem from one area to another,
Thiebes said.
"As the saying goes, a fed bear is a dead bear, and we don't
want to see that," Thiebes said. "The important thing is not to
acclimate these bears to humans."
During daily fire briefings, members of the Siskiyou National
Forest this week began imploring firefighters not to leave any food
behind. Siskiyou forest biologist Bill Blackwell said he expects to
send a memo to all the Biscuit fire's 3,221 firefighters about the
problem.
"There's not a lot we can do about the water issue," Blackwell
said Thursday. "But there are some things we can do about the food
issue."
The 500,068-acre Biscuit fire, which was ignited by lightning
July 13, is the country's largest. With suppression costs so far at
$115.6 million, its also the most expensive.
The fire remained 90 percent contained Thursday, but low
humidity and gusty winds forced fire managers to move their
expected full containment date from Saturday until Sept. 4.
The fire area encompasses about 781 square miles. Biologists
estimate there are as many as one bear per square mile in
southwestern Oregon forests.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press.
displaced up to several hundred black bears, which are now hanging
around fire crews looking for leftover food and drinking from water
tanks, state biologists say.
Biologists fear these encounters eventually could cause problems
for area residents once the fire is out.
There was also at least one report of a firefighter feeding
portions of his lunch to a black bear, and another bear sat on a
truck trailer for several minutes despite efforts to shoo it away.
"These bears are looking for a free handout of food," said
biologist Mark Vargas of the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife. "And that can definitely create some problems, some
conflicts, down the line."
Once bears associate humans with food, these normally reclusive
omnivores can begin seeking out people or residences in search of
easy meals.
Many of these bears have lived in seclusion in the Siskiyou
National Forest's Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area, so associating tasty
sandwiches and cool water with people is a dangerous lesson for
them to learn.
"Once they've developed that attraction, it'll be virtually
impossible, a nightmare, to get rid of them," said John Thiebes,
another ODFW biologist.
And the stakes are high for residents and the bruins. ODFW
policy is to kill damage-causing bears because trapping and
relocating them just pushes the problem from one area to another,
Thiebes said.
"As the saying goes, a fed bear is a dead bear, and we don't
want to see that," Thiebes said. "The important thing is not to
acclimate these bears to humans."
During daily fire briefings, members of the Siskiyou National
Forest this week began imploring firefighters not to leave any food
behind. Siskiyou forest biologist Bill Blackwell said he expects to
send a memo to all the Biscuit fire's 3,221 firefighters about the
problem.
"There's not a lot we can do about the water issue," Blackwell
said Thursday. "But there are some things we can do about the food
issue."
The 500,068-acre Biscuit fire, which was ignited by lightning
July 13, is the country's largest. With suppression costs so far at
$115.6 million, its also the most expensive.
The fire remained 90 percent contained Thursday, but low
humidity and gusty winds forced fire managers to move their
expected full containment date from Saturday until Sept. 4.
The fire area encompasses about 781 square miles. Biologists
estimate there are as many as one bear per square mile in
southwestern Oregon forests.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press.