“Smokey the Bear” turns 65!

Leslie Quigley — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:25:57 +0000

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The nostalgic bear that educates the public on the dangers of wildfires turns 65, today! Smokey Bear’s first public poster release was August 9, 1944. In case you don’t know, Smokey Bear is one of the most recognized symbolic images of the United States Forest Service.

According to Wikipedia, Smokey Bear is often unofficially referred to as ”Smokey the Bear” after two songwriters added the word “the” for rhythm purposes. Smokey Bear vigilantly reminded us with his popular slogan “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires”. It wasn’t until April of 2001 that his message was updated to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” which included all unwanted, unplanned fires in natural areas.

When I think of campfires, I envision the fictional character, Smokey Bear. Growing up, there were posters of “Smokey the Bear” plastered on every classroom wall. I can even remember the commercials. A recent study proved 95% of those surveyed could finish the sentence when given the first words of his famous slogan.

Smokey Gets Burned

Maggie Milstein — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:59:10 +0000

Be warned: This is a tale of a fallen American hero. Ever since the U.S Forest Service reported a very healthy decrease in forest fires, Smokey the Bear’s career has slowly declined. After recognizing the horrors of global warming, Americans have made a very significant effort to save the ecosystem, which has saved the West from burning. Last week, U.S Forest Service chief Abigail R. Kimbell released this statement,

Mr. Smokey Bear has always held a figurehead position. His pay is exorbitant and many firefighters believe that the money should go to a more worthwhile cause. We know that Mr. Smokey Bear has been the face of the U.S Forest Service since 1944, but we need a more modern representative. We have extended Mr. Geico Gecko and Mr. Ben Aflac offers to replace Mr. Bear.

Smokey the Bear has been spotted in the Sierra foothills in the Mojave, spending thousands of dollars in Indian casinos and rummaging through trashcans behind $10 seafood buffets. Lonepine native Shelley Birdsong reports,

Mr. Bear sat next to me at the craps tables and ordered me a giant Pina Colada. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and was pretty drunk already. He asked me to come up to his room. I nervously declined, and he didn’t really notice; he just got up and went to puke in the back alley.

Green Options » smokey bear

“Smokey the Bear” turns 65!

Smokey Gets Burned