Smokey Bear, one of the most recognizable symbols of wildfire prevention in the United States, celebrated his 82nd birthday on August 9.
The Smokey Bear character was created on August 9, 1944, when the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council released the first poster featuring the fictional bear. The campaign was created to encourage Americans to take responsibility for preventing wildfires.
Smokey’s familiar message has changed over the years. The original campaign used the slogan, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires.” It later became the well-known phrase, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” which continues to be associated with Smokey Bear today.
The character eventually gained a real-life counterpart. In 1950, an orphaned black bear cub was rescued after being found injured following the Capitan Gap wildfire in New Mexico. The cub survived and was taken to Washington, D.C., where he became known as Smokey Bear and lived at the National Zoo. He became a living symbol of the wildfire prevention campaign and attracted visitors from across the country.
Although the original Smokey Bear died in 1976, his legacy continues. The character remains a national reminder that many wildfires can be prevented through responsible actions.
As Smokey Bear marks another birthday, his message remains simple: preventing wildfires is everyone’s responsibility.
Source: U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council historical information about Smokey Bear.
