Two-thirds of the folks who took last week’s SWOFIRE poll about Smokey Bear’s age were correct. The fire-preventing bear turns 66 next Monday. Smokey was “born” Aug. 9 1944, which is the date the first Smokey Bear fire prevention poster was created.
The beloved bear is a shared icon between the US Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Commercial artist Albert Staehle is created with creating the Smokey image as a public education campaign for the Forest Service. By the way, lest you think about using Smokey for an advertisement, the Bear is protected by federal law. Smokey Bear’s name and image are proprietary to the three entities (which includes State Forestry departments) under the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 USC 580 and 18 USC 711).
Need ideas about preventing wildfires close to home? Check out the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.org/
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry (many thanks to Brian Ballou with SWOFIRE for the poll question)