Hundreds of bears in B.C. will be killed this year because of conflicts with humans, and authorities say most of the deaths are entirely preventable.

With homes nestled so close to the woods, bear sightings are a regular occurrence across the province. But conservation officers say there’s been a spike in reported sightings, which has led to more animals being destroyed.

Last week, a black bear was shot and killed in a Port Coquitlam park after the bruin apparently stormed officers.

Sgt. Todd Hunter said he was forced to open fire with his pistol after the aggressive 200-pound bear lunged at him. The animal had been seen eating garbage at the park and in a nearby residential neighbourhood.

Just a few days earlier a black bear in North Vancouver was tranquilized and killed after breaking into a woman's home. Neighbours said the senior homeowner was scratched after the bear wandered into the home and started eating food out of her fridge. She suffered minor injuries.

Last year, 325 black and Grizzly bears were killed following human interactions. That number is down from more than 400 in 2012, but it’s still troubling to wildlife officials who say they’re forced to take action when an animal becomes habituated to humans.

Hot weather this summer and bumper berry crops are contributing to a spike in bear calls, but the common denominator in the majority of incidents is food.

Bears motivated by discarded food – and garbage – are likely to wander into areas they otherwise wouldn’t, including schoolyards, parks and residential neighbourhoods.

Conservation officers say the number of bear deaths can be reduced dramatically by people taking the simple step of locking up their garbage in bear-proof cans.

Ashley Page says residents living close to nature must work harder to ensure their backyards are free of attractants.

“The bear would not be here in the first place if it wasn't drawn down by smells of garbage, getting into bird feeders and other attractants on people’s properties.”

Anyone with debris in their yard or found not locking their garbage could face a $230 fine as a reminder to be more bear aware.

The B.C. Conservation Foundation runs Bear Aware, a website and program aimed at decreasing human-bear conflict in the province.

With a report from CTV National Vancouver bureau chief Melanie Nagy