Pacifica residents put on alert after mountain lion spotted

Pacifica residents are being warned that a mountain lion, measuring at least 6 feet long, was seen prowling a residential neighborhood in the oceanside community Wednesday night and leaping over a backyard fence.

Police were called to the 700 block of Big Bend Drive at 8:30 p.m. after the big cat was spotted in the backyard of a home.

Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.

Avoiding hiking or jogging through wooded areas at dawn, dusk or at night when mountain lions are most active.

Keeping a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or around wooded areas.