Pocket Fire Drives Nearly 12 Black Bear Sightings Into Sedona Neighborhoods

2 articles · Updated · Sedona Red Rock News · Aug 13

Nearly a dozen black bear sightings were reported on Sedona's Nextdoor feeds in the past two weeks, with Arizona Game and Fish linking the uptick to wildlife displaced by the Pocket Fire.
Black bears pushed from burned habitat are turning up in yards and near homes, often drawn by bird feeders, trash, pet food and other lingering food odors, officials said.
Arizona Game and Fish urged residents to wait until trash day to set out garbage, remove bird feeders and feed pets indoors so bears do not get comfortable around human food sources.
If a bear approaches, officials say people should make themselves look big, make noise, avoid running and back slowly toward a building or vehicle; the agency intervenes only when a bear becomes a public safety threat.
The fire has also increased sightings of deer, javelina, bobcats and mountain lions, underscoring how broadly the blaze has disrupted wildlife movement around Sedona.