Smokey Bear is one of the most famous characters in American advertising history and is widely known for his famous slogan: “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
Smokey Bear turns 80: Five facts about the development of the campaign
Few mascots have as long a tradition as Smokey Bear, as his creation during World War II was considered a matter of national importance.
From his humble beginnings as a fictional character to his transformation into a real-life survivalist and national icon, Smokey Bear has become one of the most recognizable characters in American history.
Widely known for his ranger hat, blue jeans and long-handled shovel, Smokey Bear remains a symbol of wildfire prevention and environmental protection decades after his creation.
On his birthday, we honor his legacy by preventing wildfires because “Only YOU can do it.”
How old is Smokey Bear?
The fictional Smokey Bear was created as a cartoon character in collaboration between the United States Forest Service, the Ad Council and the National Association of State Foresters on August 9, 1944, making the iconic character 80 years old on Friday.
Was there ever a real Smokey Bear?
Years after the iconic character was created, officials found a bear cub after a forest fire in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains. The cub, later named Smokey Bear, had climbed a tree to escape the fire and was rescued with burns on its paws and legs.
After recovering, he became a living symbol of the wildfire prevention campaign and spent the rest of his life at the National Zoo in Washington, DC until his death in 1976.
Smokey Bear license plates available in Texas
License plates featuring the Texas Smokey Bear are available for cars, RVs, motorcycles and trailers for $30, of which $22 goes to a grant fund for wildlife conservation projects across the state.
Records can be purchased online.
How to prevent forest fires
In recent years, between 7 and 10 million hectares of land have burned down by wildfires in the United States.
About 90% of these fires were caused by human activities and could have been avoided, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Wildfires often occur as a result of:
- Unattended campfires
- Burning debris
- Device usage and malfunctions
- Cigarette disposal
