Smokey Bear celebrated his 80th birthday with a host of new little friends when he visited the McKinley Park Community Center and his weekly playgroup last week.
The community center is located in the Village View residential area, just south of the entrance to Denali National Park.
Smokey is known as a key member of the U.S. Forest Service and a longtime symbol of the Wildfire Prevention Campaign – the longest-running public awareness campaign in United States history.
In 1944, 80 years ago, he first attracted attention in the country when he taught these five rules: 1. Only you can prevent forest fires. 2. Always handle fire with care. 3. Never play with matches or lighters. 4. Always keep an eye on your campfire. 5. Make sure your campfire is out before you leave it.
Last Friday, the children were excited when Smokey made a personal appearance at the community center and playground during their weekly playgroup. The Black Bear Coffee Shop provided Smokey with a personalized birthday cake and everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”
Children received Smokey Bear coloring books and parents gathered information on how to protect their homes from wildfires. The National Park Service’s Wildland Fire Junior Ranger Activity Book was also available.
“This is a special form for young firefighters,” said Mark Moderow, who runs the local community’s Firewise program. “When they fill out the form, they can go to the park’s visitor center and get a special firefighter badge.”
The brochures focus on fire safety, science and prevention and are available at Denali National Park.
There is even a song about Smokey written by Steven Nelson and Jack Rollins in 1952. While writing this song, they added “the” to Smokey’s name to keep the rhythm of the song. Before that, he was known by his official name – Smokey Bear.
In 1950, a bear cub was rescued from a raging forest fire in New Mexico. The little cub climbed a tree to escape the flames and its paws and hind legs were badly burned.
News of the rescued bear cub quickly spread across the country. He spent his final years at the National Zoo in Washington DC as a living symbol of Smokey Bear.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, he received gifts of honey and so many letters that he needed his own zip code. He remained at the zoo until his death in 1976. After that, he was returned to his home and buried at Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, New Mexico, where he remains a legend of wildfire prevention.
“To this day,” said Moderow, “Smokey is the spokesman for the Forest Service.”
