ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina wildlife officials have approved an emergency rule prohibiting people from feeding black bears in Buncombe County after hundreds of reports of bear activity this year, including dozens of bears getting inside homes.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Board of Commissioners approved the rule Thursday in response to what the agency says is a growing public safety problem, particularly in Asheville, Black Mountain and Swannanoa.

The rule prohibits both intentional and passive feeding of black bears. That can include leaving food attractants such as unsecured trash or pet food accessible to bears.

The rule is not intended to prohibit bird feeding or the legal use of bait for regulated hunting unless those activities pose a threat to human safety or result in property damage, according to the commission.

The emergency rule still must receive final approval from the state Office of Administrative Hearings before taking effect.

More than 40% of human-bear interactions reported to the Wildlife Resources Commission statewide occur in Buncombe County, the agency said.

Between May 1 and Sept. 30, the commission received 836 reports of bear activity in the county. Those included 71 reports of bears inside homes. Five pets were killed, two were injured and two residents were reported injured in bear encounters.

Wildlife officials say food left accessible around homes is driving much of the problem.

“These incidents are primarily due to people feeding bears or leaving unsecured food attractants, such as outdoor pet food, trash cans and bird feeders, which causes bears to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans and their property with an easy source of food,” black bear biologist Jenna Malzahn said.

The commission said attempted and successful home entries by bears have become increasingly common in some Buncombe County neighborhoods. Of reported forced home entries by bears statewide during the past three years, 72% occurred in Buncombe County, according to the agency.

One of the most serious incidents happened Aug. 18, when a North Asheville woman encountered a female black bear inside her home and suffered non-life-threatening injuries as the bear tried to leave. She was treated at a hospital and released.

Wildlife officials said their investigation found the woman had not intentionally fed the bear. The bear, however, had repeatedly gained access to pet food inside the home through an unlocked door and had access to unsecured trash outside.

The commission said Thursday that the same bear has since forcibly entered nine other homes and attempted to get into several more.

Officials say bears that repeatedly find garbage, pet food, birdseed or food intentionally left for them can begin associating homes and people with meals. Female bears can also pass that learned behavior to their cubs.

“When a bear is successful at finding easy, high-calorie foods, such as garbage, pet food and birdseed, in a community, they are likely to return there to seek out that unnatural food source over and over again,” Statewide BearWise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs said.

In some cases, officials said bears that become accustomed to entering homes or seeking food directly from people may be euthanized because of the danger they pose.

Asheville and Buncombe County already have ordinances restricting bear feeding. The new state rule would add criminal consequences and, for the first time, give state wildlife officers enforcement jurisdiction when needed, according to the commission.

Officers could issue warnings or citations depending on the circumstances.

“Our priority is helping residents of Buncombe County understand how intentional feeding of black bears can create dangerous situations for both humans and bears,” Maj. Chad Arnold said. “The goal is not punishment, but prevention: reducing conflict, protecting public safety and ensuring that bears remain wild.”

The commission is also pursuing an identical temporary rule. Unlike the emergency rule, the temporary rulemaking process includes a public comment period and public hearing.

The agency said information about the public comment period and hearing is expected to be announced early next week.

Residents can contact the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 to report concerning or threatening bear behavior. The agency recommends calling 911 in an emergency.