Montclair Bear Sightings Latest in Essex County

Black bear sightings have been reported in Cedar Grove, Fairfield and now Montclair in the last 24 hours.

Several residents called Montclair Police Monday to say they saw a black bear in the area of Myrtle Avenue.

"The bear was chased out of the area and was last observed going back into the woods from Lloyd Road," according to Montclair Police, who are urging residents to use caution. 

Myrtle is located on the southern end of town just blocks from Eagle Rock Reservation and Hillside School, where afternoon activities were reportedly cancelled on account of the bear in the area.

The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife offers these bear safety tips.