Bear breaks into Mt. Crested Butte Home, startles residents, sparks fire

A bear broke into an occupied home in Mt. Crested Butte overnight on Aug. 19, caused extensive interior damage, and started a kitchen fire before law enforcement euthanized the animal and Crested Butte Fire Protection District (CBFPD) crews responded to confirm the scene was safe.

The bear forced its way through an exterior door, then broke through a large pane of glass in an interior entryway door, gaining full access to the home. Once inside, it knocked over shelving, furniture, and window coverings in the entryway and living room before moving into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the bear tore apart the refrigerator, scattered the contents of a full trash can, destroyed items on the counter, and broke apart a wooden dish-drying rack. The rack landed on the electric stovetop, which was turned on at some point during the incident. The rack caught fire, filling the home with smoke.

The two residents were inside the home and called 911. The bear scratched at their bedroom door, and its behavior became increasingly erratic and aggressive as the smoke detector activated.

Crested Butte Marshals and Mt. Crested Butte Police Department officers were the first to arrive. They found the bear standing on its hind legs, attempting to break through the living room’s front window, with smoke and flames visible in the kitchen behind it. Citing the bear’s aggressive behavior, the active fire, and limited access to the residence, officers euthanized the animal and then extinguished the kitchen fire.

CBFPD was dispatched at 1:16 a.m. on Aug. 19 and responded with six firefighters from two stations. While en route, crews were advised that the bear had been euthanized and the fire was believed to be out.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed the fire was out, conducted an interior assessment, and used a fan to ventilate the smoke-filled home. They documented extensive damage throughout the residence caused by the bear.

Both residents were unharmed. Investigators found no trash, food, or other attractants stored outside or in vehicles at the property. The residence had previously experienced a bear entering the home on at least one other occasion.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to the scene to remove the animal. Bear activity has increased across Colorado’s mountain communities this summer, a trend officials have linked to drought conditions that are driving wildlife to search more widely for food and water. CBFPD, the Crested Butte Marshals, and the Mt. Crested Butte Police Department have previously responded to a call involving a bear starting a fire after entering a home.