The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has received a number of reports of bear sightings throughout the region this summer. Social media has been filled with sightings as well.

Bridget Mire, WDFW coastal region communications specialist, told The Olympian that these reports have come from all over the region, including Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm in Thurston County, and Roy, Spanaway and Gig Harbor in Pierce County.

Most of the reports came in between June 21 and June 24 and again June 27 to June 30, Mire said. WDFW staff and officers responded to one report of a black bear in Tumwater on June 18.

These reports are likely of multiple bears, Mire said.

“People are seeing them in their yards. They’re seeing them on their Ring doorbells,” Mire said.

But bear sightings like these are not uncommon in the region, Mire said. Bears are commonly sighted here throughout the year, especially in spring, summer and fall.

What causes the reports are human-provided bear attractants, which include garbage, bird feed, beehives, fruit and other food sources, Mire said. When bears wake up from and prepare for hibernation, they try to gain as many calories as they can. Human-provided attractants like garbage can provide a lot of those calories.

“They look for an easy food source,” Mire said. “And it’s super easy to go through a neighborhood.”

WDFW is monitoring situations, Mire said.

So far, the bears have not done any serious damage or habituated to any one area, Mire said. Until the bears prove a threat, WDFW will focus on educating people about removing bear attractants and otherwise protecting their property from bears.

WDFW recommends following these tips to keep from attracting bears:

• Never intentionally feed bears or other backyard wildlife.

• Always keep garbage cans in a garage or a sturdy building until collection day.

• Take down seed, suet and hummingbird feeders until late fall.

• Clean up fallen fruit or other possible attractants around your home.

• Remove pet food from wildlife-accessible areas and feed your pets inside.

• Thoroughly clean barbecue grills after each use and store them in a secure building.

• Cage and electric fence your domestic fowl and livestock pens.

• Avoid storing food in your car.

• If you see a bear on your property, clap your hands loudly and make your presence known.

“Prevent negative encounters by removing those food sources,” Mire said. “That’s why they’re going around: They’re looking for food. And if we don’t provide them easily accessible food sources, then they’ll move on and they’ll find their food out in the wild.”