THREE RIVERS, Calif. — Tourists and animal lovers hoping to see a bear in Sequoia National Park this fall probably stand a better chance of spotting one in this town at the park’s entrance.

Three Rivers is crawling with hungry bears driven down from the mountains by drought in search of food to fatten up for winter. Everyone seems to have photos of the creatures on their phones or stories of encounters.

There’s no doubt a bear invasion is afoot in this town of 2,200 that is home to an eclectic mix of park employees, cattle ranchers, hippies, yuppies and artists.

Most seem delighted by the black bears lumbering through grasslands, trotting across roads or wading through rivers.

Bears have climbed on roofs for acorns and one was found exploring a bathroom under renovation in a house. A bear tore apart the outer walls of a resident’s pump house and a music studio to get at acorns a woodpecker had stowed in the siding.

Quiet nights are interrupted by air horns, banging on pots or a gunshot to scare off creatures known to forage 20 hours a day.

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