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The Way the World Works

By News of the Weird

Published Sept. 18, 2026

• In the aftermath of the wildfires in California, at least two residents have returned to their homes only to find new and unwelcome tenants, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Homeowner Sean Lorenzini evacuated during the Eaton fire, and upon his return found a black bear sleeping in the crawlspace under his home and lounging by the pool during the day.

The large bear seems to be foraging in neighbors' trash bins and is probably behind an attack on a neighbor's pet goat, Lorenzini said.

"It's definitely not moving," he said.

He's hoping to get the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to help after they relocated a 525-pound bear.

In that case, the Altadena-area bear was lured into a trap with peanut butter and rotisserie chicken, then moved to Angeles National Forest.

The wildlife agency told Lorenzini that after his bear is removed, he'll need to seal up the crawlspace, as it will probably try to return.

"I know we're encroaching on their territory," Lorenzini said of the bear, "so I'm sympathetic to that. But at the same time ... I'm exposed if anyone gets hurt. This is a wild animal."

The Way the World Works

By News of the Weird

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