Smokey Bear still campaigns for fire safety

Most adults and many kids recognize Smokey Bear from a campaign to educate the public about fire safety. Smokey Bear was the central symbol for a forest fire prevention campaign started in 1944 by the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council.

American Charities

by
Carolyn Sostrom
06/13/2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Photo credit: Discover Ruidoso

Most adults and many kids recognize Smokey Bear from a campaign to educate the public about fire safety. Smokey was the central symbol for a forest fire prevention campaign started in 1944 by the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council.
Released later that year, the first poster depicted a bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. Smokey Bear’s slogan, “Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!” was later introduced in 1947. According to the Smokey Bear website, this slogan was updated in 2001 to “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires!”

Photo credit: eParks

Just a few years later, the public met the real Smokey. According to the Smokey Bear website, in 1950 a young bear cub climbed a tree to escape a burning forest in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. The bear was still badly burned. The firefighters who retrieved him nicknamed him Smokey. News about this bear quickly spread, and he became a living symbol for wildfire prevention. The bear later came to live at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
The real Smokey Bear died in 1976 and was buried in Capitan, New Mexico, in what is now called Smokey Bear Historical Park.
The fictional Smokey character still plays a big role in wildfire prevention. According to the Ad Council, Smokey Bear and his slogan are recognized in the United States by 95 percent of adults and 77 percent of children. The Smokey Bear website offers tips on campfire safety, backyard burning, equipment maintenance and other fire safety suggestions. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen this iconic bear, check out the website.
Like many summers, this year has an increased risk for wildfire. Coors Banquet will again donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of any case or case equivalent of beer in draft, bottles or cans to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. This group provides support to wildland firefighters and their families. Enjoy a beverage today and help support this worthy cause!
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

: Photo credit: Discover Ruidoso

: Photo credit: NPR

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27253″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://apple.news/A3ZnX-8JORxKxccLMBkhslA”][vc_single_image image=”27381″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://apple.news/TuOsFpOgtSm6z-44GmdbT0A”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Last Updated on 01/25/2019 by Carolyn Sostrom

Related TopicsCoors Banquet Feature Protect Our West POW

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle.

She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*.

With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower.

She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.