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Bear possibly fleeing mountains to escape Zaca fire hit by car
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More from Local NewsIt was early in the morning when the bear ambled out of the mountains and into the path of Raul Ramos' car as he drove northbound on Highway 150 near Casitas Pass.
Metal hit fur, and the large mammal glanced off the vehicle's right quarter panel and came to rest in a ditch, the Ojai man told the California Highway Patrol on Thursday morning.
Officers didn't find the bear, but it did some damage to the vehicle's front fender, said Officer Shawna Davison, a spokeswoman for the CHP.
Car crashes involving bears are rare locally and statewide. There is no indication of what caused this particular bear to leave the mountains, but many animals are likely fleeing the hills because of the Zaca fire, said Harry Morse, a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Game.
Currently burning in the Dick Smith Wilderness area of the Los Padres National Forest northwest of Ojai, the blaze has consumed more than 235,000 acres since it began July 4.
Animals generally move out of their habitats ahead of wildfires, which means that as the Zaca fire burns, some are likely to trek into the edges of residential areas, Morse said.
The bear collision was the first wild-animal-related accident reported since the CHP in Ventura began doing traffic control for the Zaca fire last week, Davison said.
In Santa Barbara County, sheriff's officials speculate that two recent sightings of wildlife might be related to the Zaca fire, said Sgt. Eric Rainey, a spokesman for the department.
A mountain lion was seen in Santa Ynez early this month, and a bobcat was sighted near Cuyama slightly more than a week ago, Rainey said.
Morse reminded residents to not put out food or water for wildlife because animals can become used to easy pickings, he said. When wild animals begin expecting food in residential areas, they can become dangerous to people and pets.
"They will find food and water, and they will return back to their habitat. Just let them be," he said.
Posted by estalnaker on August 25, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to commute over highway 150 between Ojai and Carpentaria. I saw black bears and bobcats crossing the highway on several occasions.
During one these commutes watched as the car in front of me hit a bobcat. A well meaning couple in the vehicle behind me attempted to capture the injured animal. They had no idea what they were in for.... It was an awful scene.
I do not believe a fire 20 miles to the north has anything to do with the presence of wildlife around highway 150. The wildlife has always been there.
Posted by Old_Fart on August 25, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quoting Gabriel
" I'm sorry but this HEADLINE is illogical..
What exactly was hit by a car? The Zaca Fire or the bear? The Star should know better than that...and in a HEADLINE nonetheless!"
Thats the exact thought I had when I read it. Did the Grammar check in MS Word meltdown on that headline?
Story was well written, but that headline...
Posted by missjennyjones on August 25, 2007 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arroyo Verde Park was closed today "due to wildlife"...
Posted by powtsie on August 25, 2007 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's common sense, DUH, It was the bear that was hit by the car. A car can not hit fire, however, it can go thru it. Look for something else to criticize.
Posted by RC on August 27, 2007 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ooh too bad =(...this bear was having a "beary" bad day
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