Black bear sightings reported in east Vancouver, Camas over the weekend

Several people reported seeing a black bear in both east Vancouver and Camas over the weekend.

Camas Police Sgt. Scot Boyles said that their agency took three calls of a black bear being spotted over the weekend, two in the Dorthy Fox Park area and another near Wafer Tech.

Boyles said the bears were not a threat to humans, and were seen near streets before returning to wooded areas. When dispatched to each call, officers did not locate a bear, Boyles said.

The bears are roaming the area in search of food, said Craig Bartlett, spokesman for the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. They have to settle in an area before the agency can trap them and transport them.

“If they find food, they’ll stay put,” Bartlett said. He advises homeowners to secure BBQs and pet food left outside.

Robin Wheelon, who lives in the 19900 block of Northeast 16th Street in east Vancouver, said she spotted a black bear in her neighbor’s back yard on Memorial Day.

“It’s just scary,” Wheelon said. “I’ll be keeping my eye out.”

It’s unclear if there’s more than one bear wandering the area.

The sightings aren’t uncommon in the Camas area, Boyles said. Fish & Wildlife will continue working with Camas police to keep track of the bear, or bears.