Bear Encounter in Alaska's Bear Valley | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jul 23, 2026 · 1m

A hiker in Alaska’s Bear Valley narrowly escaped a surprise brown bear encounter while hiking with friends and dogs — the bear made brief contact before fleeing, leaving her with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials suspect high winds may have startled the bear, and are now ramping up safety measures with new signs and trail alerts. Authorities even deployed a drone to monitor nearby bear activity, highlighting how tech is helping manage wildlife risks. Experts urge hikers to travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray, leash pets, and secure food and trash to avoid attracting bears —…