Due to the dry conditions black bears have been more active than usual throughout the Adirondacks, according to an alert from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

DEC has steps people can take to prevent problems with nuisance bears.

• Never feed bears. It is prohibited by regulation and is unsafe for humans and the bear. Nuisance bears that have become habituated to obtaining food from humans can be become aggressive, requiring DEC to euthanize them.

• At home, do not feed birds during the summer, and keep all garbage secured in a manner that bears cannot obtain it. Bird feed and garbage are the two biggest attractants for bears around homes.

• At campgrounds, store all food in coolers and other containers that are placed in the trunk of your vehicle. Dispose of all garbage before the end of each day. Keep your site clean of food, food waste and garbage.

• In the backcountry, use bear-resistant canisters to store all food, toiletries and garbage. Use of bear-resistant canisters is required in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness and are encouraged elsewhere.

• Outside the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, if you don’t use a bear-resistant canister, store all food, toiletries and garbage in a “bear hang” bag. There are plenty of resources on the web to guide you, such as this “How to hang a bear bag” video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKPmwfHxRsc

Bears are most active in the evening, so DEC advises cooking, eating and cleaning up before dusk.

These and other practices can prevent attracting black bears to campsites in the backcountry.