Locals turn out to celebrate Smokey Bear
Tyler Pons, 6, of Hood River got together with Smokey Bear for his 79th Birthday at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles on Saturday, Aug. 5th. Smokey’s official birthday is on Aug. 9th.
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 5, 2023 - The US Forest Service celebrated Smokey Bear's upcoming birthday today, Aug. 5 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
Dean Weitzel, 7, of Mosier worked intensely on his birthday card for the Bear who has been the voice of fire prevention since 1944.
Smokey will be 79 on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
Dean Weitzel, 7, of Mosier works on a birthday card for Smokey as his grandpa Nick Jones looks on.
Smokey’s message is as important today as it was when the public service announcement campaign came out to educate people on the dangers wildfire. Some 22 million acres burned in 1944, and Smokey’s message is now the longest-running PSA campaign in U.S. History.
Finish this line. “Only YOU can…
According to some studies, 96 percent of Americans can finish that sentence with “Prevent Forest Fires!”
The message continues to resonate, but the hope is that people put the words into action by ensuring fires are doused with water, stirred and felt for heat and doused again if necessary. And matches, or other causes of fire are extinguished entirely and not left errantly to kindle a blaze.
On Saturday, Smokey had company at the Discovery Center. Wildland firefighting trucks were available for tours and Sparky of Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue also showed up.
One last question: Is it ethical to give Smokey a cake with 79 burning candles?
Yes, but only if he is in the middle of a stream when the wind is blowing under 2 mph.
Better yet, forgo the candles and douse that chocolate cake with honey.
The Real Smokey
A cub was recovered, its feet blistered from the heat, from a wildfire in New Mexico due to the heroics of a crew of firefighters in 1950. The bear was later moved to the Zoo in Washington D.C. where it lived out its life.
Click here to Read the story about how the firefighting Tribal Crew battled the blaze in New Mexico and saved Smokey.
Smokey Bear and Ranger Ray Bell, who cared for him after the fire in New Mexico in 1950.
