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| Above, a vintage Smokey Bear tin sign. |
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Smokey Bear (some incorrectly call him "Smokey the Bear") mascot.
USA Today has an interesting article along with some historic photos of Smokey Bear fire prevention campaign over the years.
They begin their article with:
Smokey Bear, the recognizable mascot of wildfire prevention in the United States, turns 75 Thursday.
The U.S. Forest Service started the campaign in 1944 and used it to educate the American public on the dangers of forest fires. A live mascot, appropriately named Smokey, was added to the campaign in 1950.
Smokey's face appeared on posters with his famous slogan: "only you can prevent forest fires." In 2001, the slogan was updated to: "only you can prevent wildfires." Smokey has also appeared on postage stamps, billboards and even a hot-air balloon.
Off Interstate 5 near Gorman, California, there is a Smokey Bear Road.
To see more, go here.
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