Smokey Bear turns 70 . . .
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:51 am
. . . Still on mission to prevent wildfires
By Moira McLaughlin
The Washington Post
Real black bears don’t live to be 70 years old. But a pretend black bear named Smokey Bear, who was born out of a desire to help save U.S. forests, turns 70 on Saturday.
One of the most recognized characters in the United States, Smokey has been a spokesman (or spokesbear?) for the U.S. Forest Service since 1944. The Forest Service is the part of the government that manages national forests, where people go to camp and hike.
Wildfires in those forests can burn millions of acres of land a year, so the Forest Service created Smokey to help spread the word on how to prevent fires. That means no playing with matches and always making sure your campfire is out when you’re done with it.
At first Smokey’s slogan, or what he always said, was, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires.” But in 1947, Smokey’s slogan changed to, “Remember, only you can prevent forest fires.” That’s the slogan that your mom and dad probably know. In 2001, his words changed slightly, and “forest fires” became “wildfires.” His look, which includes an easy-to-recognize ranger hat, has not changed much over the years.
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By Moira McLaughlin
The Washington Post
Real black bears don’t live to be 70 years old. But a pretend black bear named Smokey Bear, who was born out of a desire to help save U.S. forests, turns 70 on Saturday.
One of the most recognized characters in the United States, Smokey has been a spokesman (or spokesbear?) for the U.S. Forest Service since 1944. The Forest Service is the part of the government that manages national forests, where people go to camp and hike.
Wildfires in those forests can burn millions of acres of land a year, so the Forest Service created Smokey to help spread the word on how to prevent fires. That means no playing with matches and always making sure your campfire is out when you’re done with it.
At first Smokey’s slogan, or what he always said, was, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires.” But in 1947, Smokey’s slogan changed to, “Remember, only you can prevent forest fires.” That’s the slogan that your mom and dad probably know. In 2001, his words changed slightly, and “forest fires” became “wildfires.” His look, which includes an easy-to-recognize ranger hat, has not changed much over the years.
MORE