Happy 80th Birthday Smokey Bear
I had the honor to attend Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday celebration at Mount Charleston in Las Vegas. The crowd sang Happy Birthday, we had delicious cupcakes, and Smokey Bear received a proclamation from US Senator Jackie Rosen’s office. Celebrations were held all across the country to honor this iconic bear’s birthday!
Smokey Bear is the longest running public service advertising campaign in the United States. The very first poster introducing Smokey Bear was born on August 9, 1944, and was illustrated by Albert Staehle. It depicted a bear dressed in denim pants and a park ranger’s hat (known as a campaign hat); pouring a metal bucket of water over a campfire. In the early years, his slogan was, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires,” but most of us growing up are familiar with the more iconic slogan, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
Although Smokey is the official mascot of the US Forest Service, you can find him spreading his message at all National Parks and many state parks too. His iconic image can be seen next to signs warning of the current fire danger at parks and forest areas all across the USA.
In 1952, Congress passed the Smokey Bear Act which took his likeness out of public domain and protected it under federal law, controlled by the Secretary of Agriculture. All royalties and licensing fees paid for his likeness are used for wildfire prevention education programs.
His official name is Smokey Bear. However, due to the release of a song in 1952 by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, his name was Smokey the Bear in the song for better lyric flow. He is a bear, his name is Smokey, and many refer to him as Smokey the Bear; but the proper way to greet him is Smokey Bear!
Smokey Bear is a national celebrity. He even has his own zip code,20252 in Washington, D.C. He has his own educational website with lots of great materials for teachers and scout leaders at https://smokeybear.com.
Smokey Bear’s advertising campaigns and educational programs have surely prevented thousands of wildfires, but one thing Smokey Bear can’t help with is Mother Nature. This year alone, just in the Mount Charleston area upper elevations, there have been 19 wildfires started by lightning strikes.
It’s up to each of us to help Smokey Bear, and to educate younger generations. There are great resources on his website of tips for: the occasional nature adventurer, campers on how to build a proper campfire, homeowners who live near wooded areas, the general public on backyard burning safety tips; plus, youth and scouting educational materials.
Let’s all do our part to help Smokey Bear, because: Only you can prevent forest fires!
Happy birthday Smokey Bear!
