Government Resources

During World War II, the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program was concerned that shell attacks on U.S. soil would cause forest fires. This was a legitimate concern as Japan did attempt incendiary attacks in the United States along the West Coast as well as launch balloons carrying incendiary devices toward the United States. In response, the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program created Smokey Bear in 1944 to encourage Americans to practice fire safety procedures in order to help eliminate the threat of fires from an attack. In 1952, Smokey's image came under the control of the United States Department of Agriculture and today the joint U.S. Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters, and Ad Council Wildfire Prevention campaign featuring Smokey is the longest running public service campaign in history. Through this campaign, Smokey Bear became associated with the phrase, "Only you can prevent forest fires" This phrase was later updated in 2001 to, "Only you can prevent wildfires," in order to highlight the different types of lands that are fire prone. Smokey is often referred to as "Smokey the Bear" but the correct name is "Smokey Bear."

In addition to the character created by the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program, Smokey Bear was a real-life bear. The living representation of Smokey Bear was a black bear cub that was rescued in 1950 during the Captain Gap fire in New Mexico. The bear cub was saved by firefighters, but did have burned paws that required veterinarian care. The cub was cared for by Ranger Ray Bell of the New Mexico Department of Game and fish, his family, and a local veterinarian. News of the rescued bear cub soon spread and people across the country called and wrote letters to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to inquire about his recovery. The New Mexico state game warden wrote to the head of the U.S. Forest Service, offering to present the cub to the agency as long as the cub was part of a dedicated conservation program. This led to the cub, now named Smokey Bear, finding a home at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Smokey Bear lived at the National Zoo for the remainder of his life and died on November 9, 1976. During his life, Smokey Bear received millions of visitors and letters. In fact, Smokey Bear received so much fan mail that in 1964 the United States Postal Service gave him his own ZIP Code (20252). The zip code is still in use today. 

Today, Smokey Bear is a cultural icon. Smokey's image is still used to spread messages of fire prevention and on August 9th, 2024, the U.S. Forest Service celebrated Smokey's 80th anniversary. You can learn more about Smokey Bear by visiting any of the resources featured on this guide. You can also see the evolution of Smokey Bear over the last 80 years by viewing the posters below. And remember, always practice fire safety because as Smokey would say, "Only you can prevent wildfires!"