Bear attack injures 2 on Mount Si trails; officers search for bear

Two people were injured in an encounter with a bear Tuesday on the Mount Si trails near North Bend.

Crews were working to bring both patients off the trail around 2:30 p.m. The severity of their injuries was not immediately clear.

Eastside Fire & Rescue crews responded to the scene.

Officials closed trails "due to bear activity," as state Fish & Wildlife officers searched for the bear, King County Search and Rescue reported Tuesday afternoon.

The Mount Si trails are some of the most popular in the Seattle area.

Black bears are native to Washington, but attacks are rare, with roughly 20 in the state's history and only one encounter that ended in a person's death.

WDFW officials advise people to avoid bears. If approached by one, individuals should stand up, wave their hands and talk in a low voice while backing away and avoiding direct eye contact. Officials also recommend carrying bear spray.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Material from The Seattle Times archives was included in this report.

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 6:09 PM.