The bear was found in a crawl space under an Altadena home that had been evacuated during the Eaton fire, wildlife officials said.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife found that the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County displaced more than just the residents, as they worked to remove a large bear from a crawl space under a house in Altadena.

When an Altadena couple returned home after the Eaton Fire evacuation orders were lifted, they didn't know what they'd find — it could easily have been ashes and rubble they returned to like thousands of their neighbors.

The Eaton Fire in Southern California forced evacuations in Altadena, and when residents returned, one family discovered a 525-pound bear had taken refuge beneath their home.

As evacuation orders were lifted in the Eaton Fire area, one resident returned home to find a bear in a crawl space underneath their Altadena home.

A massive, 525-pound adult male bear was hiding there following the deadly 14,000-acre blaze, and preventing utility workers from restoring the home’s power. During fires, animals fleeing the flames often wander into densely human-populated areas.

Wildlife officials rescued a 525-pound bear found hiding under a home that was evacuated during the Eaton fire.

Wildlife officials rescued a 525-pound bear found hiding underneath a home that was evacuated during the Eaton Fire. When evacuations were lifted and the owner of the Altadena home returned, their utility company said power couldn’t be restored since a large bear was residing in the crawl space where workers needed to access.

A California man returned to his Altadena home after the Eaton Fire and discovered a 525-pound bear had taken up residence in his crawlspace.