Tennessee campground closed after 'dangerous' bear encounters

An increase in dangerous bear encounters attributed to campers' haphazard food storage practices is forcing the U.S. Forest Service to indefinitely close a campground in northeast Tennessee.

Horse Creek Campground in a section of the Cherokee National Forest near Greeneville is closed until further notice.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency experts said the dangerous interactions are increasing, especially in areas north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The national forest has strict food safety and storage rules to try to prevent bears from crossing paths with humans.

"Visitors are required to store unattended food in bear-resistant containers, in a vehicle in solid nonpliable material or suspend food at least 12 feet off the ground," the agency said.

Be safe:What to do if you see a bear in the Smokies or your backyard. (Hint: Don't run)

Bears are attracted to food, soft drinks, cooking grease, alcoholic beverages, canned foods, pet foods, livestock feed and grains, personal hygiene products, and even empty food and beverage containers.

Trash, especially food wrappers, must be secured as well.

"Once a bear develops a pattern of relying on human food sources it begins to lose its fear of people and may become aggressive," the forest service warns.