Lassen County declared mountain lions an "imminent threat to public safety" after residents in Gold Run reported a rise in bold, near-home sightings. Deputies received multiple videos on May 11 and the sheriff signed the declaration on May 13. Officials say traditional deterrents have failed, and state and federal wildlife agencies are coordinating with local law enforcement. Residents are urged to report encounters to the sheriff's non-emergency line.
California Community Declares Mountain Lions an "Imminent Threat" After Surge in Near-Home Sightings
California mountain lion closeup in a natural settingCredit: Nps/Planet Pix via ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock
Mountain lions have been declared an "imminent threat to public safety" in a rural Northern California community after residents reported a surge of bold sightings near homes in the Gold Run area.
In a Facebook release dated May 15, the Lassen County Sheriff's Office said Sheriff John McGarva signed the official declaration on May 13 following numerous reports of unusually assertive mountain lion activity near Amesbury Drive and Hill Creek Road.
Residents say sightings began increasing in the summer of 2025. Animals have been observed lingering near houses, spending time beneath decks and appearing unconcerned by people or pets — behavior that community members and deputies describe as an escalation from the occasional predator encounters normally associated with rural living.
On May 11, deputies received five separate videos from residents that reportedly show as many as five mountain lions crossing private property close to homes. Officials said the footage suggests the cats were "comfortable with human presence." The sheriff's office added that traditional deterrents — yelling, loud noises, chasing and fencing — "have been ineffective for several months."
This mountain lion prowls above Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific OceanCredit: Getty
The lions are moving freely and without concern for human intervention.
Notable incidents cited by authorities include a deer carcass found roughly 20 yards from a fence line and an October 2025 encounter in which a mountain lion approached to within about 15 feet of a homeowner who was outside with two dogs. The resident retreated safely indoors and later armed himself because he believed the threat to his family and animals was imminent; the animal had moved on by the time he returned outdoors.
Local officials say the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are now coordinating with the Lassen County Sheriff's Office to investigate the situation and determine appropriate steps to protect residents and manage the animals.
Authorities are urging anyone who encounters a mountain lion in the Gold Run area to report the sighting immediately to the sheriff's office non-emergency line so wildlife and law enforcement can track activity and respond as needed.
What Officials Have Said: Agencies emphasize vigilance and reporting rather than confronting the animals. The declaration is intended to mobilize resources and public awareness as officials work on a resolution.
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