Smokey Bear, the U.S. Forest Service’s symbol of fire prevention, turns 75 on Friday.
The Origin of Smokey Bear
Smokey is the longest-running public service ad campaign, first appearing on a poster in 1944. In 1950, firefighters rescued a black bear cub found clinging to a tree during a forest fire in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains. The cub was named "Hotfoot Teddy" because of its singed paws. Nursed back to health, Smokey spent 26 years in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. After the bear died in 1976, Smokey was buried in Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, New Mexico.
Smokey’s Legacy
Smokey Bear’s famous slogan is “Only you can prevent wildfires”. The slogan and Smokey’s image are licensed for use in wildfire prevention public service announcements. Smokey might not say much, but his message is important.
The story of the real-life Smokey Bear cub rescued in 1950 is a heartwarming tale that shows how a baby bear orphan stole the hearts of the nation. Smokey received loads of fan mail to the extent that the Postal Service gave him his own zip code. Though Smokey has passed, his image and message endure, reminding us we must prevent destructive fires.