NEWS RELEASES
Smokey Bear Celebrates 75th Birthday At Events Across The Country
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The US Forest Service's website.
For 75 years, Smokey the Bear has been the beloved mascot of the U.S. Forest Service spreading his message: “Only you can prevent forest fires” (updated in 2001 to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires"), a message that takes on new meaning in the 21st century as wildfires destroy millions of acres each year. The Smokey Bear campaign, created in 1944, predated the original orphan cub who became the living embodiment of the campaign. Found after a wildfire in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains in 1950, the cub was rescued by firefighters who treated his burns and eventually found him a home in the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Soon taking on the Smokey name, that first bear lived until 1976 and was buried at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, NM. A second Smokey inspired additional generations at the National Zoo until 1990.
The Forest Service has announced a series of special events celebrating Smokey this year. Smokey started his birthday celebration with an appearance at the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl parade. On March 1, 2019, a special Smokey Bear exhibit will open at the National Zoo. A Smokey Bear LIVE video will be released Oct. 6 and broadcast on Nov. 7 in Capitan, NM. On Nov. 28, the Smokey balloon will fly in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the world’s largest parade. Special birthday parties and other events are planned at national forests and other venues across the country, including 75 Days of Smokey, a scavenger hunt hosted by the Florida Forest Service across several counties; Smokey Bear Days beginning March 4 in Capitan, NM; and exhibits of historic Smokey portraits and other art.
Find local events on the interactive map at the Smokey’s 75th Birthday website.