“Only you can prevent forest fires.” It’s a message that’s continued and persevered for more than 70 years, and the message, along with its voice, was celebrated Saturday at the Cradle of Forestry National Park.
Smokey Bear, the beloved fire-prevention bear, was given a birthday bash at the Cradle in an event designed for fun and education. The bear turns 74 this month. “Smokey Bear is one of the most recognized symbols in the world,” said Cradle Director Devin Gentry, who organized the event. “This event is an opportunity for folks of all ages.”
Indeed, the only fires on Saturday were those on the grill serving up burgers and hot dogs at the Cradle café, and the proverbial passing of the torch carrying Smokey’s message from one generation to another. “Older visitors remember Smokey from school programs and camping programs,” Gentry said. “People are being educated so these resources are here for years to come.”
Smokey was created by the U.S. Forest Service with artist Albert Staehle, and he remains the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history. The Ad Council, the United States Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters employ Smokey Bear to educate people about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires.
The living symbol of Smokey Bear was a 5-pound, 3-month-old American black bear cub who was found in the spring of 1950 after the Capitan Gap fire, a wildfire that burned in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. Smokey had climbed a tree to escape the blaze, but his paws and hind legs had been burned. Local crews who had come from New Mexico and Texas to fight the blaze removed the cub from the tree.
From BlueRidgeNow.com: https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20180805/cradle-of-forestry-celebrates-iconic-smokey-bear