The 416 Fire has caused much disruption to our communities on many levels. No words can describe the gratitude we feel toward our firefighters. Our prayers have gone out to them and to those impacted by the fire, especially those evacuated.
There are more potential evacuees as this fire continues to impact lives: Bears may be forced to find new territories. Bears are territorial. Habitat already occupied by other bears will result in conflicts.
When this happened during the Missionary Ridge Fire, bears sought alternative habitats, including those that put them in conflict with people.
During last year’s natural forage scarcity, many bears sought out residential areas for human-provided foods. Within the city of Durango, 25 bears were killed in human-caused conflict. As bears displace from the wildfire, we can help them by not luring them near people and homes with human foods.
Let’s stay ahead of the game this year. Put away all bird feeders. Properly dispose of trash and use bear-resistant trash cans (now available from all waste haulers). Keep a clean car and lock the doors. Keep all bear-accessible doors and windows at your home closed and locked. Use electric fencing for chickens, beehives and more.
For more information refer to BearSmartDurango.org. There are ample public lands for bears to spread out. As evacuees and firefighters return to their homes, help bears find homes in the forest and not in our backyards. Please do your part.
Sherm Beye
Bayfield
