Perhaps one of the most beloved characters of all time, Smokey Bear, is turning 80 this year, and we can’t wait to celebrate alongside the United States Forest Service. Created in 1944 by the U.S. Forest Service as the lead symbol in its Wildfire Prevention Campaign, Smokey Bear has become an American icon throughout the last eight decades. We don’t know many American adults who don’t remember Smokey and his signature catchphrase, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

National Agricultural Library/Wikipedia
What you might not know is that the Smokey Bear namesake was given to a real-life North American Black Bear cub. Born in 1950 in the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico, Smokey Bear was a victim of a forest fire and was found badly burned as a young bear cub.
Smokey Bear was nursed back to health by veterinarians in Santa Fe, and in June 1959, the Forest Service transferred guardianship of Smokey to the Smithsonian with the stipulation that his life be devoted to wildlife conservation and forest fire prevention.
Francine Schroeder photo for Smithsonian Institution/Wikipedia
He found a permanent home at the National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. and was so popular and received so many letters that he was issued his own zip code. Smokey officially retired in 1975 before dying of old age on November 9, 1976, at 26.
That same year, Smokey Bear Historical Park was established in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains near the forest where the real-life Smokey was found as a young bear cub.
Denise Murray/Google Local

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As a symbol of forest fire prevention, Smokey Bear lives on and, in 2024, will celebrate his 80th birthday.
Photo Courtesy Of Wear Your Roots
If you can’t make it to Smokey Bear Historical Park to celebrate the American icon this year, we know the perfect way to celebrate – a Smokey Bear t-shirt from one of our favorite U.S.-based shirt companies, Wear Your Roots.
Photo Courtesy Of Wear Your Roots
From infant onesies and adult t-shirts to hats, sweatshirts, backpacks, and decals, anyone who wants to represent Smokey Bear in their clothing can do so with Wear Your Roots.
Use Code SB10 For 10% Off
Photo Courtesy Of Wear Your Roots

So, tell us, what is your fondest memory of Smokey Bear in his 80-year history? 

P.S. If you were confused about Smokey Bear versus “Smokey The Bear,” you’re not alone – according to the New Mexico Smokey Bear Historic Park website, “the” was added to Smokey’s name when a song was written about the bear, so the lyrics would match the melody. The more you know, right?

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