Kenai National Wildlife Refuge managers have closed three campgrounds in the Skilak Lake area to tent camping after a black bear scratched a camper in a tent early Saturday.
A person camping at the small campground at Lower Ohmer Lake in the refuge reported being scratched by a black bear early on Saturday morning, the refuge said in a statement Sunday.
The bear damaged the camper's tent, the statement said.
The refuge closed the Lower Ohmer Campground, Upper Skilak and Engineer Lake campgrounds to tents.
"Camping in hard-sided recreational vehicles is still permitted and campgrounds remain open to day-use," refuge managers said.
The closest campgrounds still open to tent camping are Hidden Lake and Lower Skilak, according to the refuge.
A refuge spokesperson did not immediately respond to a call Sunday with questions about the circumstances surrounding the reported bear incident, or when the campgrounds are expected to reopen.