A Brief History of Smokey Bear

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  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.
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  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.
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  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.
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  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.