HAZARD, Ky. — He’s a famous black bear known for the slogan, “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

We’re talking about Smokey Bear! He had a birthday recently and Smokey’s decades long mission still matters. 

What You Need To Know

  • Smokey Bear’s birthday is August 9, 1944

  • In 2001, Smokey’s catchphrase was updated to “Only You can Prevent Wildfires”

  • Smokey’s original catchphrase was “Smokey Says Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.”

  • Smokey has worked hard since 1944 to inspire Americans to prevent wildfires

For almost 80 years, Smokey Bear has been promoting safety.

“I love Smokey Bear, of course!” Kessley Baker, a wildfire mitigation specialist with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, told Spectrum News 1.

The Forest Service authorized Smokey Bear’s creation in 1944. Smokey is a black bear and is one of the world’s most recognizable characters. In fact, smokeybear.com states the Smokey Bear Wildfire prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history. For years, an orphaned black bear cub was the live representation of Smokey. The USDA, Forest Service, and the AD Council Federally protected and administered his image.

“His main focus is, of course, to teach children how to be safe with fire, especially outdoor fire, and to always be careful. That mission has stuck around from the 1940s until now, and it’s still very relevant today,” Baker explained.

Smokey’s first catchphrase was “Smokey Says Care will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.” Then in 1947 it changed to “Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” Today, it’s “Only You can Prevent Wildfires.”

“We do not want careless fires. We do not want wildfires.” Baker explained. “We want people to respect the forest and leave it better than they found it and that has stayed true throughout.”

Smokey Bear recently had his 78th birthday. Baker said Smokey and his campaign have saved lives. Especially with the hard work Kentucky’s men and women do to fight wildfires. 

“It’s very dangerous. Just knowing that some of these wildfires Smokey has prevented has most likely prevented many of those men and women from injury or death.” Baker explained. “So, I’m very thankful to Smokey for that, for protecting our people.”

Baker’s team takes Smokey’s message to schools and festivals. With older students, they talk about things like fire safety, how to properly set up and put out a campfire, and how to help protect homes if a wildfire happens.

“Simple things like raking leaves around your house, essentially underneath your porches and steps and what not,” Baker explained. “Think anywhere where leaves rustle and settle.”