A California homeowner has found himself with an unexpected and unwelcome tenant: a black bear that has decided his crawl space makes for perfect winter accommodations.
Ken Johnson of Altadena discovered the large bear has been regularly coming and going from beneath his home, a situation that has left him deeply concerned about potential damage and safety issues. “It’s a huge bear. It’s really unnerving because I don’t know if he’s going to tear everything up under there, I don’t know how to get him out,” Johnson told reporters.
The uninvited houseguest, sporting a dark brown coat with a tan snout and distinctive tan chest markings, was first captured on surveillance footage in early December 2025. Johnson had installed cameras back in June after noticing signs of animal damage. Neighborhood residents have affectionately nicknamed the bear “Barry,” though Johnson likely finds little comfort in the personalization of his subfloor squatter.
Wildlife Displacement Following Devastating Fire
This bear invasion comes in the aftermath of January’s devastating Eaton Fire, which ravaged parts of Altadena, claiming at least 19 lives and destroying numerous structures. The blaze also severely damaged the Angeles National Forest, displacing wildlife from their natural habitats and decimating food sources. Wildlife experts believe these conditions have contributed to increased bear activity in residential areas.
Johnson’s situation isn’t without precedent. Earlier this year, in January 2025, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) removed a 525-pound adult male bear from beneath another Altadena home. That bear, too large to safely tranquilize, was relocated to Angeles National Forest and fitted with a tracking collar to monitor its movements.
Why are bears so drawn to the space beneath homes? Turns out, Southern California bears don’t truly hibernate but instead engage in what experts call “denning” behavior during winter months. They take extended naps in sheltered spaces while periodically venturing out to forage for food — making a warm, protected crawl space particularly attractive real estate.
“In the foothills of bear country, it’s important to close crawl spaces with bear-proof material in advance of winter months to discourage bears from denning and damaging property,” wildlife officials advised.
A Common Winter Problem
How common is Johnson’s predicament? More than you might think. CDFW spokesperson Cort Klopping indicated that bear incidents in crawl spaces are routine during this season, with response teams potentially handling as many as five similar situations weekly.
For residents living in bear country, this serves as a stark reminder that wildlife displacement due to environmental disasters can have unexpected consequences — sometimes quite literally hitting home. As winter settles in and more bears seek comfortable denning spots, homeowners in foothill communities might want to check beneath their floors. They could have company they never invited.
