First Bear Sightings in Fairfax County

Fairfax County Police received the first seasonal reports of bear sightings in 2011 on Thursday, June 9. The bear was seen around 6:30 a.m. near Holly Briar Lane in Great Falls. The medium-sized black bear was crossing the road near Hollyview Drive, heading toward the woods.

Police also received three reports Friday around 6:30 a.m. near Bennington Woods Road, Stowe Road, and a walking trail near Autumn Wood Drive.
           

Take the following precautions to keep bears and other wildlife away from your home:

• Do not store trash on porches, decks or in vehicles.
• If a bear is sighted in your neighborhood, remove birdfeeders.
• Take garbage to the curb on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before.
• Consider installing electric fencing around gardens, dumpsters and other potential wildlife sources. Electric fencing is an inexpensive and efficient proven deterrent against bears.