Bear Warning Issued For Foothills Trail: Pierce County

ORTING, WA - Pierce County is warning local hikers, bikers, and walkers to be aware on the popular Foothills Trail due to a number of recent bear sightings. Pierce County reported the sightings on Wednesday morning. The bears have been spotted between Orting and South Prairie, according to the county.

"Numerous bear sightings between Orting and South Prairie along the Foothills Trail. Please use caution. Remember to make noise, keep dogs leashed, children near, and be alert. Report sightings to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife, 1-877-933-9847," Pierce County wrote in a warning on its website.

The 25-mile trail runs near Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and Enumclaw.

Black bears are abundant in Washington state, but it is extremely rare for one to attack a human. However, black bears do pose a threat to humans, pets, and children. Here are some tips on what to do if you encounter a bear, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife:

1. Stay calm and avoid direct eye contact, which could elicit a charge. Try to stay upwind and identify yourself as a human by standing up, talking and waving your hands above your head.
2. Do not approach the bear, particularly if cubs are present. Give the bear plenty of room.
3. If you cannot safely move away from the bear, and the animal does not flee, try to scare it away by clapping your hands or yelling.
4. If the bear attacks, fight back aggressively. As a last resort, should the attack continue, protect yourself by curling into a ball or lying on the ground on your stomach and playing dead.

There have only been a little more than a dozen black bear attacks on humans in Washington state since the state began keeping records. In 2015, a man named "Bob" (he did not give his full name to local media) was attacked by a bear near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Grizzly bears do not reside in Western Washington.

Image via Pierce County