Smokey Bear’s 75th Birthday

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EUREKA (KIEM)– Today marks a special day for the US Forest’s symbol to prevent wildfires. It was all about Smokey Bear on Friday as he celebrated his 75th birthday.

The story begins in 1944 when the U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council agreed the fiction symbol would become the face to promote forest fire prevention.

The story doesn’t end there, fast forward to spring of 1950. A cub was saved from a wildfire burning in the New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains. He climbed a tree to get away from the flames and when firefighters rescued him he was badly burnt. They were so moved by his strength, he was named Smokey.

Since the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaign was created back in 1944. It is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History.