| Bears Discover Fire | |
| Author: | Terry Bisson |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Science fiction |
| Published In: | Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine |
| Publication Type: | Magazine |
| Media Type: | Print (Paperback) |
| Pub Date: | August 1990 |
"Bears Discover Fire" is a science fiction short story by American science fiction author Terry Bisson.[1] It concerns aging and evolution in the US South, the dream of wilderness, and community. The premise is that bears have discovered fire, and are having campfires on highway medians.
It was originally published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine in August 1990.
"Bears Discover Fire" won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story and the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. It was the inspiration for Michael Bishop's 2005 story "Bears Discover Smut".[2]
"Bears Discover Fire" has been adapted into a Columbia University MFA thesis film directed by Ben Leonberg and produced by Scott Riehs.