What is the real story of Smokey the bear?
The True Story of Smokey Bear. Capitan, New Mexico is the birthplace and burial site of Smokey Bear. On May 4, 1950, a carelessly discarded cigarette started the Los Tablos blaze in the Lincoln National Forest. On May 6, a second fire, known as the Capitan Gap fire started in the same general area.
Why did Smokey the bear slogan Change?
The change was implemented in an effort to expand the campaign focus to include grassland fires as well as forest fires. Seventy-two years after the birth of this endearing icon, Smokey remains a relevant symbol of wildfire prevention. In 2008, Smokey was reintroduced as a computer-generated image, targeting consumers aged 18-34.
Is Smokey the bear dead?
The living symbol of Smokey Bear, he played an important role in spreading messages of wildfire prevention and forest conservation. Smokey died in 1976 and was returned to Capitan, New Mexico, where he is buried in the State Historical Park. This week, Smokey Bear celebrates his 70 th birthday.
Was Smokey Bear real?
This article basically explains that the caricature we know as Smokey the bear was actually a real bear. He was saved by a game warden and lived for 26 years in a zoo. During that time, a biography was written for him. I've seen a Smokey the Bear sign many times, as it was on the road to my cottage.
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What happened Smokey Bear?
Smokey died in 1976 and was returned to Capitan, New Mexico, where he is buried in the State Historical Park.
How old was Smokey the Bear when he passed away?
26 years oldWASHINGTON, Nov. 9 — Smokey Bear died in retirement at the National Zoo here today. He was 26 years old.
Did Smokey the Bear die in a forest fire?
Although his likeness lives on in public service announcements, the real-life “Smokey the Bear” died on November 9, 1976. A baby black bear was rescued from a wildfire in New Mexico in 1950. He survived and was turned over to the federal government to become the face of forest fire prevention.
How long did the real Smokey the Bear live?
And he appeared in newspapers across the country." At the zoo, Smokey drew millions of visitors. He lived there 26 years. Having a living animal symbol helped make the wildfire-safety campaign more visible, Signell writes in Smokey's biography.
Who rescued Smokey the Bear?
The crew rescued the five-pound American black bear cub who later became known as “Smokey” out of the embers. Adolph Samora, a member of the Snowball crew, remembers putting out fire hotspots when some other firefighters called him over to what looked like a crumpled jacket lying on the ground.
Why did Smokey the Bear's slogan change?
According to the bear's official bio, the change was “in response to a massive outbreak of wildfires in natural areas other than forests and to clarify that Smokey is promoting the prevention of unwanted and unplanned outdoor fires versus prescribed fires.”
How old is Smokey the Bear in 2022?
From Orphaned Cub to Internationally Known Forest Service Icon, Smokey Bear Turns 70 Years Old Next Year! Sometimes, a story speaks for itself.
What gender is Smokey the Bear?
MaleA campaign began in 1944 featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". His slogan changed to "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" in 1947 and was associated with Smokey Bear for more than five decades....Smokey BearSpeciesAmerican black bearGenderMale6 more rows
What was the largest wildfire in U.S. history?
The 1988 Yellowstone Fires These fires collectively formed the largest wildfire in the recorded history of the Yellowstone National Park in the US. Spurred by drought conditions and winds, the fire quickly spread out of control and turned into one large fire that burned for several months.
What does 20252 only you mean?
For 70 years, children and adults have written to Smokey Bear, the U.S. Forest Service symbol for wildfire prevention. So many letters were sent in the 1960s that the U.S. Postal Service authorized a ZIP code – 20252 – just for Smokey. (
Why did the little cub get the name Smokey?
Why did the little cub get the name, 'Smokey' ? The cub was rescued from amidst forest fire and smoke, and had burn wounds all over his body. So, the little cub got the name, 'Smokey'.
What is Smokey the Bear's middle name?
Smokey doesn't have a middle name. He is simply Smokey Bear, always has been and always will be. However, a song about him, written in 1952, stuck “the” in his name so the lyrics would match the song's rhythm.
How old is Smokey the Bear in 2022?
From Orphaned Cub to Internationally Known Forest Service Icon, Smokey Bear Turns 70 Years Old Next Year! Sometimes, a story speaks for itself.
What gender is Smokey the Bear?
MaleA campaign began in 1944 featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". His slogan changed to "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" in 1947 and was associated with Smokey Bear for more than five decades....Smokey BearSpeciesAmerican black bearGenderMale6 more rows
What happened to the real Smokey the Bear cub?
The state game warden wrote to the chief of the Forest Service, offering to present the cub to the agency as long as the cub would be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program. The cub was soon on his way to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.
What is Smokey the Bear's middle name?
Smokey doesn't have a middle name. He is simply Smokey Bear, always has been and always will be. However, a song about him, written in 1952, stuck “the” in his name so the lyrics would match the song's rhythm.
Where is Smokey Bear buried?
Smokey's remains were flown back to Capitan, N.M., today, and it is planned that he will be buried within the next few days at the Smokey Bear Historical Park there. It is not far from where he was found in 1950, clinging to a charred tree in the Lincoln National Forest.
Why did Smokey retire?
Smokey officially retired as the Forest Service symbol in May 1975, suffering from arthritis. Plans for him to be flown back to New Mexico to live out his remaining years were canceled because of a lack of funds, and he remained in his National Zoo cage. A “new” Smokey replaced him in the next cage, another orphaned cub from New Mexico that is now 5 years old.
How old is Smokey from the next cage?
A “new” Smokey replaced him in the next cage, another orphaned cub from New Mexico that is now 5 years old. Smokey's name and depiction were copyrighted by Congress to protect against unauthorized commercial use for novelties and souvenirs such as Tshirts and badges.
How much money did Smokey contribute to the Forest Service?
Royalties from the sale of authorized Smokey articles have contributed about $1.5 million to the Forest Service's fire prevention program, a spokesman said. As bears go, Smokey was “an easygoing bear,” a National Zoo spokesman said, not particularly aggressive and easy for the keepers to work with.
Where was Smokey the dog shipped?
He was flown to Santa Fe to have his burned paws treated, nursed back to health at the home of a game warden, and shipped to the National Zoo. His burns had damaged his legs, giving him a stifflegged stomping gait, but for years he was one of the most popular animals at the zoo. Every visitor who came to the zoo, a spokesman said, “had to see Smokey.”
What is Smokey's hat?
The image of Smokey in a widebrimmed forest ranger's hat had become an international ly known symbol of forest fire prevention since he was found by rangers in 1950, an orphaned and badly burned black bear cub, clinging to a tree in a National Forest in New Mexico.
What was Smokey Bear's name?
At first he was called Hotfoot Teddy, but he was later renamed Smokey, after the icon. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Ranger Ray Bell heard about the cub and took him to Santa Fe, where he, his wife Ruth, and their children Don and Judy cared for the little bear with the help of local veterinarian Dr Edwin J. Smith. The story was picked up by the national news services and Smokey became a celebrity. Many people wrote and called asking about the cub's recovery. The state game warden wrote to the chief of the Forest Service, offering to present the cub to the agency as long as the cub would be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program. According to the New York Times obituary for Homer C. Pickens, then assistant director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, he kept the cub on his property for a while before flying with the bear to D.C. Soon after, Smokey was flown in a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser airplane to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. A special room was prepared for him at the St. Louis zoo for an overnight fuel stop during the trip, and when he arrived at the National Zoo, several hundred spectators, including members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, photographers, and media, were there to welcome him.
Why did they add "the" to Smokey the Bear?
The pair said "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm.
What is the name of the movie that Smokey Bear was in?
In 1956, he made a cameo appearance in the Walt Disney short film In the Bag with a voice provided by Jackson Weaver. Rankin/Bass Productions, in cooperation with Tadahito Mochinaga 's MOM Production in Japan, produced an "Animagic" stop-motion animated television special, Ballad of Smokey the Bear, narrated by James Cagney. It aired on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1966 as part of the General Electric Fantasy Hour on NBC. The same day, a Smokey Bear balloon was featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it was advertised as "Thanksgiving is Smokey Bear Day on NBC TV".
What tree does Smokey Bear eat?
Smokey Bear eating from the new "honey tree" — a tree that automatically dispenses honey and berries – installed in Smokey's cage in the summer of 1984.
When did Smokey Bear become popular?
Smokey quickly became a part of American popular culture, appearing on radio programs, in comic strips, in cartoons, and as merchandise. Knickerbocker Bears acquired the license to produce Smokey Bear dolls in 1944. In 1949, Forest Service worker Rudy Wendelin became the campaign's full-time artist and was considered Smokey Bear's "manager" until Wendelin retired in 1973.
Where is Smokey Bear's birthday?
Forest Service, the Texas Forest Service and Smokey Bear teamed up to celebrate Smokey's 68th birthday at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The popular mascot toured the center and recorded a promotional announcement for NASA Television.
Who voiced Smokey in the Woody Woodpecker commercial?
Washington, D.C., radio station WMAL personality Jackson Weaver served as the primary voice representing Smokey until Weaver's death in October 1992. Dallas McKennon voiced Smokey in the 1957 Woody Woodpecker short film, Red Riding Hoodlum. George Walsh briefly provided Smokey's voice in the mid 1960s. From 1969 to 1986, Smokey was voiced by Roger C. Carmel. After Weaver's death, Gene Moss took over the role and voiced him until his death in 2002. In later years, Smokey has also been voiced by Jim Cummings (1993–2006) and Jack Angel (2002–2012). Frank Welker also briefly voiced Smokey in a few commercials. In June 2008, the Forest Service launched a new series of public service announcements voiced by actor Sam Elliott, simultaneously giving Smokey a new visual design intended to appeal to young adults. (coincidentally, Elliott was born on the very same day that Smokey was created)
Where is Smokey Bear buried?
He remained at the zoo until his death in 1976, when he was returned to his home to be buried at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, New Mexico, where he continues to be a wildfire prevention legend. Smokey cub sitting on a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser.
What news did the Little Bear get?
News about the little bear spread swiftly throughout New Mexico. Soon, the United Press and Associated Press broadcast his story nationwide, and many people wrote and called, asking about the cub’s recovery. The state game warden wrote to the chief of the Forest Service, offering to present the cub to the agency as long as the cub would be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program. The cub was soon on his way to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.
Where did the cub go when he returned to the fire camp?
The crew removed the cub from the tree, and a rancher among the crew agreed to take him home. A New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ranger heard about the cub when he returned to the fire camp. He drove to the rancher’s home to help get the cub on a plane to Santa Fe, where his burns were treated and bandaged.
Is Smokey Bear still called Smokey Bear?
To maintain the rhythm of the song, they added “the” between “Smokey” and “Bear.”. Due to the song’s popularity, Smokey Bear has been called “Smokey the Bear” by many adoring fans, but, in actuality, his name never changed. He’s still Smokey Bear.
Why did Smokey Bear come to us?
our editorial process. Steve Nix. Updated February 27, 2019. Smokey Bear came to us by necessity. At the beginning of World War II, Americans feared that an enemy attack or sabotage could destroy our forest resources at a time when wood products were greatly needed.
What is Smokey Bear's task?
Smokey Bear's task is becoming increasingly difficult. In years past, it was a challenge for his message to reach traditional visitors to the forest. Now we are faced with getting his wildfire prevention message to an increasing number of people who live in and around these areas.
Where does Smokey the CFFP live?
After being nursed back to health, Smokey came to live at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. as a living counterpart to the CFFP Program's fire prevention symbol.
What was the animal of the forest used in the anti fire poster?
The success of this poster demonstrated that an animal of the forest was the best messenger to promote the prevention of accidental forest fires. On August 2, 1944, the Forest Service and the War Advertising Council introduced a bear as their campaign symbol.
Why was timber important in the war?
It encouraged citizens nationwide to make a personal effort to prevent forest fires. It was a mobilized civilian effort in support of the war effort to protect valuable trees. Timber was a primary commodity for battleships, gunstocks, and packing crates for military transport.
Who painted the smokey bear?
Albert Staehle, noted illustrator of animals, worked with this description to paint the forest fire prevention bear. His art appeared in the 1945 campaign, and the advertising symbol was given the name "Smokey Bear.". The bear was named "Smokey" after "Smokey" Joe Martin, who was Assistant Chief of the New York City Fire Department ...
Is smokey's revenge a pariah?
They don't want Smokey's message out anymore. Charles Little, in an editorial called "Smokey's Revenge," states that "in many circles the bear is a pariah.
Why smokey the bear is bad?
You can easily fact check why was smokey the bear created by examining the linked well-known sources.
What is the smokey bear effect?
The Smokey Bear effect which was an indirect result of the Smokey Bear campaign. The Smokey Bear campaign has been so successful at preventing forest fires that it has allowed trees and debris to pile up on the forest floor, indirectly resulting in forest fires that burn larger and hotter.
how old is smokey the bear?
A group of firefighters buried themselves to survive a dangerous wildfire, then adopted a black bear cub who also survived and making him the real "Smokey the Bear."
What is Smokey Bear's zip code?
Smokey Bear received so much fan mail that in 1964, he got his own zip code of 20252 - source
What was the name of the bear that was found in a tree?
Following a forest fire in Lincoln National Forest in 1950, a little bear was found trapped in a tree. This bear cub became Smokey the Bear.
Overview
Smokey Bear is an American campaign and advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service. In the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history, the Ad Council, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), in partnership with creative agency FCB, employ Smokey Bea…
Campaign beginnings
Although the U.S. Forest Service fought wildfires long before World War II, the war brought a new importance and urgency to the effort. At the time, many experienced firefighters and other able-bodied men were serving in the armed forces, leaving fewer at home to fight forest fires. The Forest Service began using colorful posters to educate Americans about the dangers of forest fires i…
Living symbol
The living symbol of Smokey Bear was a five-pound, three-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 rem…
Popularity
Smokey quickly became a part of American popular culture, appearing on radio programs, in comic strips, in cartoons, and as merchandise. Knickerbocker Bears acquired the license to produce Smokey Bear dolls in 1944. In 1949, Forest Service worker Rudy Wendelin became the campaign's full-time artist and was considered Smokey Bear's "manager" until Wendelin retired in 1973.
Legacy
For Smokey's 40th anniversary in 1984, he was honored with a U.S. postage stamp, illustrated by Rudy Wendelin, that pictured a cub hanging onto a burned tree. The same year, the U.S. Forest Service began to transfer Smokey Bear materials that had been collected from the CFFP campaign to the National Agricultural Library to be maintained in their Special Collections as documentat…
Voices
Washington, D.C., radio station WMAL personality Jackson Weaver served as the primary voice representing Smokey until Weaver's death in October 1992. Dallas McKennon voiced Smokey in the 1957 Woody Woodpecker short film, Red Riding Hoodlum. George Walsh briefly provided Smokey's voice in the mid 1960s. From 1969 to 1986, Smokey was voiced by Roger C. Carmel. After Weaver's death, Gene Moss took over the role and voiced him until his death in 2002. In later yea…
Adaptations
Smokey Bear—and parodies of the character—have been appearing in animation for more than fifty years. In 1956, he made a cameo appearance in the Walt Disney short film In the Bag with a voice provided by Jackson Weaver. Rankin/Bass Productions, in cooperation with Tadahito Mochinaga's MOM Production in Japan, produced an "Animagic" stop-motion animated television …
Fire ecology
Although the goal of reducing human-caused wildfires has never changed, the tagline of the Smokey Bear campaign was adjusted in the 2000s, from "Only you can prevent forest fires" to "Only you can prevent wildfires". The main reason was to accurately expand the category beyond just forests to include wildlands, which include grasslands. Another reason was to respond to misplaced criticism from wildfire experts, and to distinguish 'bad' intentional or accidental wildfir…