Several bear encounters in the Blue Ridge Parkway have prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields campgrounds until further notice.

A bear recently damaged a tent and bag while rummaging for food with two campers inside the tent. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks.

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Sgt. Andrew Helton said bears are looking for food and "certain bears have gotten used to going into campsites and getting food that way."

For campers in other areas, Helton said it's important to still be cautious.

"Just make sure when you cook you clean up after yourselves because a bear can smell up to 10 miles away. Any leftover food needs to be hung from a tree out of  bear distance," He said.

The U.S. ...