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Birthday Bear Hugs, Smokey Turns 70

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SmokeyBear70

The birthday bash will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until 1:00 p.m. Free popcorn, birthday cupcakes, and bottled water will be available as families enjoy the many stations and presentations that are part of the special day. Smokey Bear will make appearances throughout the event, and people can plan to take a “selfie” with the birthday bear. A hashtag has been designated so you can tag your photos with Smokey at #arsmokeybearbday.

Stop. Drop. Roll. Planned activities include 3-legged races, “airtanker” and balloon toss, an inflatable bounce house, a BB shooting range, face painting and temporary tattooing. Cross-cut saw and chainsaw carving demonstrations, door prizes and a variety of displays and booths will offer entertainment for children and adults. The Russellville Fire Department Smoke Trailer will be present to help prepare families to escape a smoke filled house. Blanchard Springs Caverns will have a “squeeze box” available to simulate what it’s like exploring wild caves!

Smokey, one of the world’s most recognizable fictional characters, has educated generations of Americans about their role in preventing human-caused wildfires. Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History.

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Do you know the story of Smokey, the Orphan Bear?
(Courtesy of Smokeybear.com)

One spring day in 1950 in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, an operator in one of the fire towers to the north of the Capitans spotted smoke and called the location into the nearest ranger station. The first crew discovered a major fire being swept along the ground between the trees, driven by a strong wind. Word spread rapidly and more crews reported to help. Forest Rangers, army soldiers, Native American crews, men from the New Mexico State Game Department, and civilian volunteers worked together to gain control of the raging fire. As soon as they contained the fire to one spot, the wind would push it across the lines. During one of the lulls in firefighting, a report of a lonely bear cub who had been seen wandering near the fireline was reported. The men left him alone because they thought the mother bear might come for him.

About 30 firefighters, mainly soldiers but also a Capitan High School student, were caught directly in the path of the fire storm, barely escaping by laying face down on a rockslide for over an hour until the fire had burned past them. In spite of the experience, the firefighters were safe except for a few scorches and some burned holes in their clothes.

Nearby, the little cub had been caught in the path of the same fire and had not fared as well. He had taken refuge in a tree that was now completely charred. His climb had saved his life but left him badly burned on the paws and hind legs. The soldiers removed the little bear cub from the burned tree, but they did not know what to do with him. A rancher, who had been helping the firefighters, agreed to take the cub home. A New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Ranger heard about the cub when he returned to the fire camp and drove to the rancher’s home to get the bear. The cub needed veterinary aid and was flown in a small plane to Santa Fe where the burns were treated and bandaged.

The news about the little bear spread swiftly throughout New Mexico. Soon the United Press and Associated Press picked up the story and broadcast it nationwide. Many people wrote or called to inquire about the little bear’s progress. The State Game Warden wrote an official letter to the Chief of the Forest Service, presenting the cub to the agency with the understanding that the small bear would be dedicated to a publicity program of fire prevention and conservation. The go-ahead was given to send the bear to Washington, DC, where he found a home at the National Zoo, becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.

The campaign’s original catch phrase was “Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.” In 1947 it was changed to “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires.” Most recently, in 2001, it was again modified to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” in response to a massive outbreak of wildfires in natural areas other than forests. The term “wildfire” applies to any unwanted, unplanned, uncontrolled outdoor fire.

Despite the campaign’s success over the years, wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues affecting our country and Smokey’s message is as relevant today as it was in 1944.

For more information about the Smokey Bear Birthday Bash, contact the Pleasant Hill Ranger District in Clarksville at (479) 754-2864.

And remember, ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!

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Stephanie Buckley, aka The Park Wife, Wife+Mom+Founder+Tribe Builder+OG Blogger~ Community Entrepreneur, Southern-born storyteller, ❤️ Jesus. Coffeehouse Owner. Content Curator/Editor for OnlyinArk.com

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