Smokey Bear, the icon of the U.S. Forest Service, is the longest running wildfire prevention campaign in United States history.
The character was authorised on August 9, 1944, a date now celebrated as his official birthday.
He was originally drawn by Artist Albert Staehle complete with his trademark campaign hat and jeans.
Three years later, Smokey’s slogan — “Remember … only YOU can prevent forest fires” — made its debut.
Over the decades, several artists drew Smokey, and he evolved slightly in appearance.
Smokey Bear’s popularity skyrocketed in the 1950s and ‘60s. He appeared in children’s colouring books and kids could write to Smokey and receive a Junior Ranger kit, complete with a badge shaped like the Forest Service shield. He even had his own animated cartoon series on television.
In the spring of 1950, a bear cub was rescued from a fire in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, treated for his burns, and then transported to Washington, DC, to serve as the living symbol of Smokey Bear at the National Zoo. This bear received so much mail that the U.S. Post Office gave Smokey his own zip code—20252.
Smokey Bear made a goodwill visit to Victoria in 1977.
So, happy birthday Smokey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Bear
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 