Today, Friday, August 9th, Smokey Bear celebrates his 80th birthday.
In honor of his eight years teaching Americans about the importance of fire safety, read on for eight fun facts about one of America’s most beloved mascots.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, his message about outdoor fire prevention is as relevant as it was 80 years ago.
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Here’s what to know.
1. He replaced Bambi
When the Smoky Bear was introduced to the U.S. Forest Service in 1944, it had some big shoes (i.e., hooves) to fill.
Before Smokey came along, an animated deer was the star of the Forest Service’s fire prevention campaign: Bambi.
Smoky Bear replaced Bambi as America’s symbol of wildfire prevention. (CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Robert Westover told Fox News Digital that Walt Disney “lent us Bambi.”
“Bambi is [fire prevention] The first year’s image, but Walt basically said, ‘Yeah, you guys need to come up with your own image,'” Westover said.
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The Smokey Bear was designed shortly after and was officially authorized by the U.S. Forest Service on August 9, 1944.
2. There’s no “the” in his name
Westover points out that Smokey Bear’s name is: Smokey Bear. He is not “Smoky Bear.”
“This is a common misnomer,” Westover said.
On November 23, 2023, Smokey Bear appeared in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The U.S. Forest Service said Smokey Bear’s name is not “Smoky Bear.” (Eugene Gologowski/Getty Images for Macy’s)
Apparently, part of the blame is on folk singer Eddy Arnold, whose 1955 song was called “Smokey the Bear.”
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“He sang ‘Smokey the Bear’ because he thought it sounded more rhythmically appropriate,” Westover said.
“So it’s kind of ingrained in the national consciousness, but it’s actually ‘Smoky Bear.'”
3. Smokey Bear is a product of World War II
Westover told Fox Digital News that in the 1940s, during World War II, there was great concern that America’s forests were in danger from enemy attacks.
“Our forests are a very important resource,” he said. “So we made a real effort [as well] We, as American citizens, do not burn down our own forests.
The Smokey Bear was created to remind Americans of the need to protect forests from fire. Around 1954, the mascot was displayed in Washington, D.C., with a group of Maryland Girl Scouts. (CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Shortly thereafter, the concept of Smokey Bear emerged.
4. There’s a “real” Smoky Bear
While today the Smokey Bear is most commonly seen in pictures or as balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, at one point there was a real-life bear known as the “Smoky Bear.”
The living smoke bear is an orphaned cub from New Mexico that was severely burned in a fire, Westover said.
The Smoky Bear seen here before flying to the National Zoo was an orphaned cub rescued from a New Mexico forest fire. (FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“He became a living image, if you will, [the] Smokey Bear personified,” he said.
Smokey Bear spent the rest of his life at the National Zoo, becoming “the Zoo’s most popular exhibit to date.”
5. He is one of America’s most recognized figures
Smokey Bear’s popularity extends far beyond the confines of the National Zoo.
A smoky bear appears next to a forest fire hazard sign in New Mexico that warns visitors of impending “high” fire danger. (iStock)
Surveys show that the vast majority of adults are familiar with Smokey Bear and its messages promoting fire safety and wildfire prevention.
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The Ad Council, which helps manage Smokey Bear’s image, reported in 2019 that 96% of U.S. adults approved of the Smokey Bear slogan.
“He’s really popular and he’s a great ambassador for wildfire prevention,” Westover said. “He’s kind of a gateway bear, if you will, getting people interested in our amazing, great outdoors.”
Smokey Bear is a “gateway bear” that helps kids get interested in nature. (Anthony Matthews Linson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
6.His slogan changed
Today, Smokey Bear’s message is “Only you can stop wildfires.”
However, this is not always the case. In fact, he’s been saying this since 2001.
From 1947 to April 2001, Smokey Bear’s message was “Remember…only you can prevent forest fires.”
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Before that, there’s the slightly lengthy “Smokey says caring can prevent nine out of 10 forest fires.”
Westover said Smokey Bear’s message has changed because not all fires are necessarily serious.
Smokey Bear’s slogan is now “Only You Can Stop Wildfires.” However, for nearly 55 years, “remember…only you can prevent forest fires.” (HUM Photos/Universal Photo Group, Getty Images)
“Some natural fires are good, and some man-made fires are bad,” he said. “Especially when we get out and accidentally have what I like to call ‘silly fires’ in the woods.”
7. His message remains relevant decades later
Westover said wildfire prevention information on smoke bears is still needed today.
“Smoky’s message is always about your responsibilities,” he said, such as making sure campfires are completely extinguished before leaving a campsite, avoiding smoking in the forest, or even securing chains on vehicle trailers.
In 1949, President Harry S. Truman received a smoky bear symbol in the Oval Office from U.S. Forest Service Administrator Lyle F. Watts. (CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Sparks (from chain drag) can cause forest fires and grass fires,” Westover said.
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“Almost 90 percent of fires are caused by humans,” he said. “So it’s important to remember this when you’re out enjoying the great outdoors. Preserving these beautiful wilderness areas for future generations is our responsibility, our entire responsibility.”
Smokey Bear and Darci Drinkwater of the U.S. Forest Service appear in the Brady Briefing Room during a visit to the White House to celebrate Brady’s birthday on August 6, 2024 part of the event. (Mandel/AFP via Getty Images)
8. He inspired other fire mascots around the world
Smokey Bear’s success led to other countries and cities adopting new fire safety characters.
The Alberta government website states that in the Canadian province of Alberta, “Bertie the Beaver” is the fire safety symbol of the Alberta Forestry Service.
In the 1970s, Young Miss Fire Prevention and Smokey Bear appeared at the Indianapolis International Speedway to promote fire safety. (Shepard Sherbell/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Canada is also home to “Ember, the FireSmart Fox,” which “teaches Canadians how to apply FireSmart principles to their homes and properties so they can be more resilient against the threat of wildfire,” according to the website for FireSmart Canada, a national program.
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In the UK, in the 1980s, “elephant” taught children about fire safety.
His website states that he is now the symbol of the Children’s Burns Trust, a charity that provides care for children who have been burned or scalded.
Smokey “has been imitated around the world,” Westover said. “Of course, the best form of flattery is imitation.”
Smokey Bear poses with Flathead Chief Paul Charlo (left), his wife (far right) and young Allen Thompson (below) in Montana in 1956 to promote the prevention of man-made forest fires. (CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Also, it’s amazing to see different versions of Smokey coming out in different countries, and yeah, it’s exciting to think that it’s really had such an impact over 80 years.”
