BASS LAKE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Staff at The Pines Resort in Bass Lake have become accustomed to 400-pound guests who often stop by for a few free snacks. Management says black bears have always been in the area, but sightings have become increasingly common since the Big Creek Fire in 2020. "It's definitely a double-edged sword," said General Manager Mark Choe. "There's a little thrill to it, and a lot of people have never seen a live wild bear. But on the other hand, too, there is an element of danger." Man encounters bear in Yosemite: What to do if this happens Choe says the bears are just trying to get their paws on some food and are not concerned with the guests, but recent sightings have raised concerns as the bears step up their efforts to find food. "They're pretty clever and pretty strong," Choe said. "[They] find a way to find some food and some garbage and kind of drag it around." Choe says the bears routinely get into the garbage and even some cabins. "The real issue is the nuisance of garbage," Choe said. "The bears are going to kind of go where they're going to go - and we're right in the middle of a National Forest." While there is no way to relocate the bears, Choe says the resort has worked to make sure guests are equipped with the necessary knowledge to enjoy the bears presence while respecting the wild animals. "[For] every guest that comes in, we have a bear beware guide," Choe said. "We want to make sure that people are not foolish and trying to get too close to take a selfie with the bear or pet a bear or feed them." Guests are also discouraged from throwing trash away themselves - or leaving it out altogether. Although the danger is real, management reveals that guests have done nothing but enjoy the bears from a safe distance. Every appearance offers more of a teddy bear vibe - instead of a dangerous grizzly bear one. "They sometimes act almost humanlike in their mannerisms, which makes them really cute," Choe said. "A bear has climbed on top of our bar roof and kind of looked like he was looking for a drink. We recently had a bear walking back and forth in front of the lobby very gingerly, very casually, like he's a guest. So they've got a lot of character and they're all over the place." However, Choe says with cub sightings becoming increasingly common, more than ever guests and drivers need to be aware of the dangers.