MCCALL, Idaho (KBOI) — The Payette National Forest closed the Kennally Creek Campground and Trailhead for the rest of August after a black bear was seen trying to get inside a vehicle in the area last Thursday.

The vehicle was empty when the bear tried breaking in. Forest officials say another black bear sighting happened a few weeks prior inside the campground. The two visits pushed officials to close the campground for public safety concerns.

They say closing the campgrounds and trailhead will eliminate food and garbage that could be attracting the bear.

Kennally Creek Campground, Kennally Creek Horse Camp, and the North Fork of Kennally Creek Trail at the trailhead to the junction with the Needles Summit Trail are closed until Aug. 31.

Idaho Fish and Game says it's important for visitors to secure food and garbage inside vehicles.

The bear's behavior suggests it received food at the campground possibly earlier in the summer. Since the bears have great noses and long memories, the bear(s) are likely to return looking for food. Fish and Game says the closure will give the bear, or bears, time to relocate.

If the bears can sniff out human food easier while losing any fear of humans, Fish and Game says they can become unpredictable and dangerous.

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