Smokey Bear

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has protected America’s forests from unwanted, human-caused fire. His message of wildfire prevention is the center of the longest running public service advertising campaign in our Nation’s history.

 

Though Smokey has been essential to the reduction of unwanted human-caused wildfires, he still needs help. Even today, nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by people. Now more than ever, Smokey needs you to help prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires.

 

Explore our featured Smokey Bear resources
A colored pencil drawing of Smokey Bear's head wearing his ranger hat with his name on it.

Meet Smokey Bear's Team

In honor of Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday, we have a new Reader: “Meet Smokey Bear’s Team.” In it, children from pre-K through 2nd grade can learn about Smokey Bear’s work in wildfire prevention and meet some of the people who help him on his mission.

The new Reader includes:

  • Colorful illustrations and photos
  • A glossary of new terms
  • Questions to spark conversation
  • A fun drawing activity
View Product Reader Audiobook
PDF preview of the cover of "Meet Smokey Bear's Team" featuring an illustrated Smokey Bear seated on a tree stump and surrounded by woodland animals.

Smokey Bear's Reading Challenge

Smokey Bear celebrated his 80th birthday by joining the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge. The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge engaged youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explored their local environment.

Libraries from 45 States joined the Reading Challenge!

Even though the 80th birthday celebration is completed, you can learn about the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge through the digital toolkit!

 

  • Learn more about wildfire prevention, forests, & natural resource careers
  • Browse Smokey's Reading List for book suggestions for all ages
  • Print free bookmarks, posters, activity sheets, & more
View Digital Toolkit
Poster for the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge in honor of Smokey Bear's 80th birthday.
YouTube thumbnail for Smokey Reads Across the Country

Smokey Bear Reads Across the Country

Join Smokey as he reads in forests across the country! 2024 marked Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday, and to celebrate, he hosted a nationwide Reading Challenge. While the Reading Challenge may be over, Smokey hopes you will continue to read about wildfire prevention and the environment with him, wherever you are. (USDA Forest Service video by Elizabeth Hemphill)

Smokey Bear Helps Kick Off His Reading Challenge in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Forest Rangers, represented by Ranger Nathan Blanchard, accompanied Smokey Bear to kick off Smokey’s Reading Challenge at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord. The Forest Rangers are excited to support both Smokey’s Reading Challenge and the 2024 Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”

Smokey Bear stands behind a display case showcasing Smokey memorabilia.
Smokey Bear sits on a park bench outside the New Hampshire state library. A statue stands next to the bench.
Smokey Bear holds a book and stands in front of full library shelves.
Smokey Bear stands in an exhibit hall at the library in front of a table for his Reading Challenge.

A Brief History of Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear was born as the national symbol of wildfire prevention on August 9, 1944. Since that time, his original message (“Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires”) has evolved to today’s message: “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” Despite the campaign’s success over the years, wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues affecting our country. Smokey’s message is as relevant and urgent today as it was in 1944.

  • The first Smokey Bear poster featuring Smokey pouring water over a campfire.

    The Birth of the Campaign

    On August 9, 1944, the Forest Service authorized the creation of Smokey Bear as the national symbol of wildfire prevention. Artist Albert Staehle delivered the first poster on October 10. The poster depicted a bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. Smokey Bear soon became popular, and his image began appearing on more posters and cards.
  • A black bear cub rests on a shaggy rug. A sign behind him reads "Remember - only you can prevent forest fires!"

    A Rescued Bear Cub

    In 1950, a major wildfire swept through the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. Firefighters discovered a black bear cub that had climbed a tree to escape the fire. The cub's paws and hind legs were badly burned, so the crew captured the cub for treatment. The bear cub made a full recovery, and many people followed his story in the press.
  • A statue of Smokey Bear stands next to a sign that reads "Smokey Bear Zone" at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC.

    The Living Symbol of Smokey Bear

    The New Mexico 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 wildfire prevention publicity program. The cub was soon on his way to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear. The newly named Smokey Bear lived at the National Zoo until his death in 1976.
  • A Smokey Bear wildfire prevention poster that reads "Only You." Smokey's head is the "o" in "You."

    Smokey Bear on the Job

    The work of Smokey Bear continues. Smokey Bear's message of wildfire prevention remains crucial, and he still needs your help. His catchphrase reflects your responsibility: Only you can prevent wildfires.

Smokey Bear LIVE 4

Join Smokey Bear and other experts to learn more about human-caused wildfires. The episodes are all available on the Natural Inquirer YouTube channel.

 

The first three episodes each focus on a different wildfire cause: campfires, vehicles, and fireworks. The last episode is a Q&A with experts who answered viewer questions!

Learn more

Featured Resources

Natural Inquirer is excited to partner with Smokey Bear and the Forest Service to provide a variety of educational resources about Smokey and wildfire prevention. You’ll find resources like collector cards, articles, activities, and virtual learning adventures – FREE!

The Longest Running Public Service Ad Campaign in US History

Enjoy some of the vintage Smokey Bear posters that make up 80 years of public service!

The first Smokey Bear poster featuring Smokey pouring water over a campfire.
The poster features a more cartoonish Smokey Bear and cubs than the other posters. The cubs wear clothing - a dress and hat on one and a pair of jeans and hat on the other. They stand in a clearing in a forest. The poster reads "Please folks, be extra careful this year! Remember - only you can prevent forest fires!"
Smokey Bear holds a shovel in one hand and the paw of a bear cub in another. Another bear cub follows; both bear cubs walk upright and carry bindles. A deer stands with them in front of a burned forest. The poster reads "You can stop this shameful waste! Remember - only you can prevent forest fires!"
An illustrated Smokey holds a shovel that two bear cubs are climbing. They stand in front of a wilderness scene featuring tall trees, deer, a winding stream, and mountains in the distance. The poster reads "Thanks, Folks, for being careful! Remember - only you can prevent forest fires!"
A Smokey Bear ABCs poster featuring an illustration of Smokey's head and one hand holding a shovel. The poster reads "Always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out" and "follow Smokey's ABCs . . . Please! only you can prevent forest fires!"
A poster showing an illustrated Smokey Bear and two bear cubs. Smokey gestures to a lake surrounded by green fields and forests; deer are visible by the lake. The poster reads, "Be my guest. But please . . . Only you can prevent forest fires!"
A poster illustration showing many people recreating outdoors: camping, rowing, hiking, etc. The poster reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches" and "Only you can prevent forest fires."
A poster showing two illustrated bears; one is passing on the Smokey uniform (a ranger hat, shovel, and a pair of blue jeans) to a younger bear. The poster reads "Carry on, Little Smokey" and "Thanks for a great job!"
A Smokey Bear poster from 1976 featuring an illustration of giant redwood trees as viewed from the ground up. The poster reads "In the time it took to grow this tree, we grew a country. Be careful."
An illustrated Smokey Bear holds his shovel and stands in profile as he looks out over a river and distant shore. In the foreground are small tree seedlings and a forest is behind him.
An illustrated poster of Smokey Bear in dark browns, reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. Smokey looks at the viewer through binoculars that reflect a forest fire in the lenses. The poster reads "Only you can prevent forest fires."
An illustration of Smokey Bear surrounded by children athletes. He signs autographs for them in front of a ball field. The poster reads "Smokey's Outreach to America."
A close-up illustration of half of Smokey's face. The iris of his eye is a photo of burned trees; the pupil is fire. The poster reads "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."