Smokey Bear turns 80 years previous right this moment, Friday, Aug. 9.
In honor of his eight a long time of telling People in regards to the significance of fireplace security, learn on for eight enjoyable details about certainly one of America’s most beloved mascots.
His message of fireplace prevention within the nice open air is simply as vital because it was 80 years in the past, based on the U.S. Forest Service.
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Here is what to know.
1. He changed Bambi
Smokey Bear had some large sneakers (make that hooves) to fill when he was launched by the U.S. Forest Service in 1944.
Previous to Smokey’s introduction, an animated deer was the star of the Forest Service’s hearth prevention marketing campaign: Bambi.
Smokey Bear changed Bambi because the image of wildfire prevention in america. (CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)
Walt Disney “lent us Bambi,” Robert Westover, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, instructed Fox Information Digital in an interview.
“Bambi was the [fire prevention] picture for the primary 12 months, however Walt principally mentioned, ‘Yeah, you guys must type of provide you with your individual picture,'” Westover mentioned.
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Smokey Bear was devised shortly after and formally licensed by the U.S. Forest Service on Aug. 9, 1944.
2. There isn’t any ‘the’ in his identify
Smokey Bear’s identify is simply that: Smokey Bear, Westover famous. He isn’t “Smokey the Bear.”
“It is a widespread misnomer,” Westover mentioned.
Smokey Bear seems in the course of the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23, 2023, in New York Metropolis. Smokey Bear’s identify just isn’t “Smokey the Bear,” the U.S. Forest Service says. (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Photos for Macy’s, Inc.)
That is partially the fault of folks singer Eddy Arnold, apparently, whose 1955 tune was titled “Smokey the Bear.”
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“He sings ‘Smokey the Bear’ as a result of he thought it sounded extra rhythmically applicable,” Westover mentioned.
“In order that’s type of caught within the nationwide consciousness, however it’s really ‘Smokey Bear.'”
3. Smokey Bear is a baby of World Warfare II
Within the Nineteen Forties amid World Warfare II, there was appreciable concern that America’s forests had been in danger because of enemy assault, Westover instructed Fox Information Digital.
“Our forests are essential sources,” he mentioned. “And so there was an actual effort [as well] that we, as residents of america, didn’t burn down our personal forest.”
Smokey Bear was created to assist remind People that the forests wanted to be shielded from fires. The mascot is proven with a gaggle of Maryland Lady Scouts in Washington, D.C., circa 1954. (CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)
Smokey Bear as an idea got here round shortly thereafter.
4. There was a ‘actual’ Smokey Bear
Whereas Smokey Bear right this moment is mostly seen in image kind — or as a balloon within the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — there was, at one level, a real-life bear that was generally known as “Smokey Bear.”
The dwelling Smokey Bear, Westover mentioned, was an orphaned bear cub from New Mexico that was badly burned in a hearth.
Smokey Bear, seen right here earlier than being flown to the Nationwide Zoo, was an orphaned bear cub rescued from a forest hearth in New Mexico. (FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Photos)
“He turned the dwelling picture, if you’ll, [the] embodiment of Smokey Bear,” he mentioned.
Smokey Bear lived out the rest of his days on the Nationwide Zoo as “the preferred exhibit the Nationwide Zoo has ever had, to at the present time.”
5. He is likely one of the most acknowledged figures within the USA
Smokey Bear’s recognition extends far past the Nationwide Zoo.
Smokey Bear is pictured subsequent to a forest hearth prevention check in New Mexico that warns vacationers about imminent “excessive” hearth hazard. (iStock)
Surveys have proven that a formidable majority of adults are accustomed to Smokey Bear and his messages about selling hearth security and wildfire prevention.
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The Advert Council, which helps to handle Smokey Bear’s picture, reported in 2019 that 96% of American adults acknowledged Smokey Bear’s catchphrase.
“He is actually standard, and he is a fantastic ambassador for wildfire prevention,” Westover mentioned. “He is type of a gateway bear, if you’ll, to get people fascinated about our wonderful, nice open air.”
Smokey Bear is a “gateway bear” who helps get youngsters fascinated about nature. (Antony Matheus Linsen/Fairfax Media by way of Getty Photos)
6. His catchphrase has modified
Right now, Smokey Bear’s message is “Solely You Can Stop Wildfire.”
However, that wasn’t all the time the road; he is really solely been saying that actual phrase since 2001.
From 1947 till April 2001, Smokey Bear’s message was “Bear in mind… Solely You Can Stop Forest Fires.”
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And earlier than that, there was the marginally extra verbose “Smokey Says Care Will Stop 9 Out of 10 Forest Fires.”
Smokey Bear’s message modified, Westover mentioned, as a result of not all fires are essentially dangerous.
Smokey Bear’s catchphrase is now “Solely You Can Stop Wildfire.” For almost 55 years, nevertheless, it was “Bear in mind… Solely You Can Stop Forest Fires.” (HUM Photos/Common Photos Group by way of Getty Photos)
“Some pure hearth is nice, and a few man-made hearth is dangerous,” he mentioned. “And particularly what I prefer to seek advice from as ‘silly hearth,’ after we exit and we’re careless within the forest.”
7. His message continues to be related all these a long time later
Smokey Bear’s message of stopping wildfire continues to be one that’s wanted right this moment, Westover mentioned.
“Smokey’s message has all the time been about your duty,” he mentioned, corresponding to ensuring a campfire is absolutely extinguished earlier than leaving a campsite, avoiding smoking within the forest and even maintaining chains on a car trailer secured.
President Harry S. Truman receives a Smokey Bear signal from U.S. Forest Service Chief Lyle F. Watts within the Oval Workplace in 1949. (CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)
“Sparks (from the chains dragging) may cause forest fires and grass fires,” Westover mentioned.
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“Nearly 90% of all fires are began by individuals,” he mentioned. “So it is essential to maintain that in thoughts if you’re on the market having fun with our nice open air. It is our duty, all of our duty, to maintain these stunning wild lands for the following technology.”
Smokey Bear and Darci Drinkwater of the U.S. Forest Service are seen within the Brady Briefing Room throughout a go to to the White Home on Aug. 6, 2024, as a part of his birthday celebrations. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
8. He impressed different hearth prevention mascots worldwide
The success of Smokey Bear resulted within the adoption of recent hearth security characters in different international locations and municipalities.
In Alberta, Canada, “Bertie Beaver” serves because the Alberta Forest Service’s image of fireplace prevention, the Alberta authorities’s web site famous.
Younger Miss Fireplace Prevention and Smokey Bear appeared on the Indianapolis Worldwide Speedway to advertise hearth security within the Seventies. (Shepard Sherbell/CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)
Canada can be dwelling to “Ember, the FireSmart Fox,” which “teaches Canadians learn how to apply FireSmart rules to their houses and properties to allow them to be extra resilient towards the specter of wildfire,” based on the web site for FireSmart Canada, a nationwide program.
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In England, “Welephant” taught youngsters hearth security within the Nineteen Eighties.
He’s now the image of the Kids’s Burns Belief, a charity that gives care for kids who’ve been burned or scalded, its web site notes.
Smokey “has been imitated all through the world,” Westover mentioned. “The best type of flattery is, in fact, imitation.”
Smokey Bear, together with Flathead chief Paul Charlo, at left, his spouse, far proper, and younger Allen Thompson, at backside, pose in Montana in 1956 to advertise the prevention of artificial forest fires. (CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)
“And, it is simply wonderful to see completely different international locations provide you with their completely different variations of Smokey and, sure, it is fairly thrilling to assume that it does have the type of influence over 80 years.”
