Colorado Springs, Colorado – Security camera footage shows a bear entering a fire station, grabbing a bag of firefighting gear and quickly walking away with it.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department said the bear recently wandered into the bay at Station 16 before taking the gear bag and leaving.

“Smokey the Bear (or who we assume is Smokey) walked into the bay at Station 16, grabbed our gear bag, peaced out real quick, and said ‘thanks, I’ll take it from here.’”

It was not clear whether firefighters were able to retrieve the bag.

The department also shared guidance from Colorado Parks and Wildlife on reducing bear encounters as the animals begin bulking up for winter. Recommendations include taking down bird feeders, keeping pets indoors, and securing food and trash.

“If you encounter a bear, make loud noises to scare them off to make any encounter with humans uncomfortable for them. Depending on human food sources is unsafe and puts bears and people at risk.”

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