Smokey Bear turns 80 today, Friday, August 9.
in honor of his efforts to educate Americans about its importance for eight decades fire safetyRead on to learn eight fun facts about America’s most beloved mascot.
His message of fire safety The Great Outdoors According to the U.S. Forest Service, the issue is as important today as it was 80 years ago.
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Here’s what’s worth knowing.
1. He replaced Bambi
When Smokey Bear joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1944, he had some big shoes to fill (i.e., hooves).
Before Smokey’s introduction, Bambi, an animated deer, was the star of the Forest Service’s fire prevention campaign.
Smokey Bear replaced Bambi as the symbol of wildfire prevention in the United States. (Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Walt Disney “Bambi was loaned to us,” U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Westover told Fox News Digital in a video interview.
“For the first year, Bambi (the fire extinguisher) was the image, but Walt basically said, ‘Yeah, you guys have to come up with your own image,’” Westover said.
Smokey Bear was soon created and officially licensed US Forest Service On 9 August 1944.
2. There is no ‘The’ in his name
Smokey Bear’s name is just that: Smokey Bear, Westover said. He’s not “Smokey the Bear.”
“That’s a common misnomer,” Westover said.
Smokey Bear will appear during the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 23, 2023. The U.S. Forest Service says Smokey Bear’s name is not “Smokey the Bear.” (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s Inc.)
Part of the blame lies with folk singer Eddy Arnold, whose 1955 song was titled “Smokey the Bear.”
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“He sings ‘Smokey the Bear’ because he thinks it fits the rhythm better,” Westover said.
“So it’s kind of stuck in the national consciousness, but it’s really ‘Smokey Bear.’
3. Smokey Bear is a World War II child
In the 1940s World War II“There was a lot of concern that America’s forests were at risk from enemy attack,” Westover told Fox News Digital.
,Our Forests “Forests are a very important resource,” he said. “And so this was also a genuine effort to make sure that we, as citizens of the United States, don’t burn our own forests.”
Smokey Bear was created to remind Americans that it is important to protect forests from fire. The mascot is shown with a group of Maryland Girl Scouts in Washington, DC, around 1954. (Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Shortly thereafter, the concept of Smokey Bear came about.
4. There was a ‘real’ Smokey Bear
While Smokey Bear is typically seen today as a portrait — or as a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — at one time, there was also a real bear known as “Smokey Bear.”
Westover said the surviving Smokey Bear was an orphaned bear cub. new Mexico Which was badly burnt in the fire.
Smokey Bear, seen here before being moved to the National Zoo, was an orphaned bear cub rescued from a New Mexico wildfire. (FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“He became the living image, or rather the embodiment, of Smokey Bear,” he said.
Smokey Bear spent the rest of his days at the National Zoo as “by far the most popular exhibit at the National Zoo.”
5. He is one of the most recognizable people in America
Smokey Bear’s popularity extends far beyond the National Zoo.
Smokey Bear is featured next to a forest fire prevention sign in New Mexico, warning tourists about impending “high” fire danger. (iStock)
Surveys show that a large majority of adults are familiar with Smokey Bear and his messages promoting fire safety and wildfire prevention.
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The Advertising Council, which helps manage Smokey Bear’s image, reported in 2019 that 96% of American adults recognize Smokey Bear’s catchphrases.
“He’s really popular, and he’s a great ambassador for wildfire prevention,” Westover said. “He’s kind of a gateway bear, if you say, for getting people interested in our wonderful, great outdoors.”
Smokey Bear is a “gateway bear” who helps children get interested in nature. (Antoine Matthias Linson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
6. Their slogan has changed
Today, Smokey Bear’s message is “Only you can prevent wildfires.”
However, this hasn’t always been the case; in fact he has been saying the phrase since 2001.
From 1947 until April 2001, Smokey Bear’s message was “Remember… only you can prevent forest fires.”
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And before that, there was the slightly more verbose article “Smokey says precautions would prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires.”
Westover said Smokey Bear’s message changed because not all fires are necessarily bad.
Smokey Bear’s slogan is now “Only you can stop the forest fire.” However, for nearly 55 years it was “Remember… only you can stop the forest fire.” (HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“Some natural fires are good, and some man-made fires are bad,” he said. “And especially what I like to call ‘stupid fires,’ when we go into the woods and act careless.”
7. His message is still relevant even after so many decades
Smokey Bear’s message about preventing wildfires is still essential today, Westover said.
He said “Smokey’s message has always been about being responsible on your own,” such as making sure campfires are completely extinguished before leaving a campsite, avoiding smoking in the woods and even securing chains on a vehicle trailer.
President Harry S. Truman receives a Smokey Bear badge from U.S. Forest Service Chief Lyle F. Watts in the Oval Office in 1949. (Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
“The sparks (from the pulling of chains) can cause wildfires and grass fires,” Westover said.
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“About 90% of fires are started by people,” he said. “So when you’re out and enjoying our great outdoors, it’s really important to keep that in mind. It’s our responsibility, all of us, to keep these things safe.” beautiful wild land For the next generation.”
Smokey Bear and Darcy Drinkwater of the US Forest Service can be seen in the Brady Briefing Room during a visit to the White House on August 6, 2024 as part of his birthday celebration. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
8. He inspired other fire prevention mascots around the world
Smokey Bear’s success also resulted in other countries and municipalities adopting new symbols related to fire safety.
“Bertie Beaver” serves as the fire prevention symbol of the Alberta Forest Service in Alberta, Canada, the Alberta government website states.
Young Miss Fire Prevention and Smokey Bear appeared at the Indianapolis International Speedway to promote fire safety in the 1970s. (Shepard Sherbell/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Canada is also home to “Ember, the FireSmart Fox,” who “teaches Canadians how to apply FireSmart principles to their homes and properties to make them more resilient to the threat of wildfire,” according to the website for the national program FireSmart Canada.
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In England “Wellfant” taught fire safety to children in the 1980s.
He has now become a symbol for the Children’s Burns Trust, a charity that cares for children who have suffered burns or burn injuries, according to its website.
Smokey “has been copied all over the world,” Westover said. “The greatest form of flattery is, of course, imitation.”
Smokey Bear, with Flathead Chief Paul Charlo (left), his wife (right) and young Allan Thompson (below), pose to promote the prevention of man-made forest fires in Montana in 1956. (Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
“And, it’s amazing to see different countries coming up with their own different versions of Smokey and, yeah, it’s quite exciting to think about the impact it’s had over 80 years.”
