Smokey
Bear has been working for over 50 years to remind Americans of the
importance of outdoor fire safety and wildfire prevention.
The
cartoon Smokey Bear is based upon an actual baby black
bear that was found alone, charred, and scared after
a devastating wildfire burned through New Mexico.
In
the 1950s, a bear cub found himself in a forest surrounded
by flames. To escape the fire burning around him, he
climbed up in a tree. By the time the fire fighters
found the scared and hungry cub, the forest was charred
and blackened. The firefighters, park forest rangers
and the warden were so moved by the bravery of this
little cub that they named him Smokey. The news about
the little bear spread swiftly throughout New Mexico.
Soon the United Press and Associated Press picked up
the story and broadcast it nationwide. Many people wrote
or called to inquire about the little bear. The State
Game Warden wrote an official letter to the Chief of
the Forest Service, presenting the cub to the agency
with the understanding that the small bear would be
dedicated to a publicity program of fire prevention
and conservation. The go-ahead was given to send the
bear to Washington, DC, where he found a home at the
National Zoo, becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.
They put him on a plane and sent him to the National
Zoo in Washington, D.C. to live. In the town of
Capitan, New Mexico near where this brave bear had been
found, people erected a museum to honour him. The museum
still exists today. Is Smokey Bear that brave
bear cub? It's hard to say for sure. But, certainly
this Smokey carries on the spirit of that little bear
cub-- to protect forests and keep them safe from the
kind of fire that destroyed a forest and made so many
animals homeless so long ago. In 1994, the Smokey
campaign celebrated its 50th anniversary of communicating
Smokey Bear's message that, "Only you can prevent
forest fires!" Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running public service
campaign in US History. As one
of the world's most recognizable fictional characters, Smokey's image is
protected by US Federal Law and is administered by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Explore the links
above to learn more about the history of the campaign, the "real" Smokey Bear,
and Smokey's unique place in American culture.
The
cartoon Smokey Bear is based upon an actual baby black
bear that was found alone, charred, and scared after
a devastating wildfire burned through New Mexico.
In
the 1950s, a bear cub found himself in a forest surrounded
by flames. To escape the fire burning around him, he
climbed up in a tree. By the time the fire fighters
found the scared and hungry cub, the forest was charred
and blackened. The firefighters, park forest rangers
and the warden were so moved by the bravery of this
little cub that they named him Smokey. The news about
the little bear spread swiftly throughout New Mexico.
Soon the United Press and Associated Press picked up
the story and broadcast it nationwide. Many people wrote
or called to inquire about the little bear. The State
Game Warden wrote an official letter to the Chief of
the Forest Service, presenting the cub to the agency
with the understanding that the small bear would be
dedicated to a publicity program of fire prevention
and conservation. 
The go-ahead was given to send the
bear to Washington, DC, where he found a home at the
National Zoo, becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.
They put him on a plane and sent him to the National
Zoo in Washington, D.C. to live. In the town of
Capitan, New Mexico near where this brave bear had been
found, people erected a museum to honour him. The museum
still exists today. Is Smokey Bear that brave
bear cub? It's hard to say for sure. But, certainly
this Smokey carries on the spirit of that little bear
cub-- to protect forests and keep them safe from the
kind of fire that destroyed a forest and made so many
animals homeless so long ago. In 1994, the Smokey
campaign celebrated its 50th anniversary of communicating
Smokey Bear's message that, "Only you can prevent
forest fires!" Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running public service
campaign in US History. As one
of the world's most recognizable fictional characters, Smokey's image is
protected by US Federal Law and is administered by the