If you want to know what is the “longest-running public service announcement campaign” in our history, just look at this poster! And why was it offered to the public? “To educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires,” of course! Do you have any doubts? And don’t try spelling “Smokey’s” name without that “e” because it’s protected by the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 U.S.C. 580 (p-2); previously also 18 U.S.C. 711)! You’d probably be breaking the law.
Did you know Smokey’s original slogan was “Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires” in 1944 to “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires” in 1947. And finally, in 2001, it was updated to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” By this time, my new Readers, you are asking yourselves, how did our cute and bright Smokey start the public awareness associated with wildfires? I’m sure you are dying to know by this time in my blog. So, I’m going to answer your question right now.
The answer begins on December 7, 1941. That’s when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. Then that next spring, right near the coast of Santa Barbara, California, Japanese submarines fired shells towards an oil field. They exploded very close to the Los Padres National Forest. Now Americans were awakened! The war was on our very mainland. We were in fear of the loss of life and, as we’ve seen on foreign soil, the horrendous destruction of property. Exploding incendiary shells in the Pacific Coast forests, and elsewhere, would ignite and cause raging wildfires – not only in our national parks, but sparks would fly with the wind and land elsewhere or everywhere. We had to do something.
Yes, and we had, for sure; many of our firefighters who were quite experienced were deployed in the war and our communities had to deal with wildfires for themselves the best way they could. Now we had to protect our forests, and this became a matter of national importance. Those in power developed a new idea and gave rise to the birth of Smokey the Bear. What I am telling you, when you are out in our beautiful national forests, or even our local playgrounds, heed to Smokey. You know why? Ask him. Smokey knows. “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!”
So, what are you going to teach our nation’s children? There is much information out there to introduce to the young about his existence. Yes, he’s cute. Go ahead and get them that plush little bear. But, remember to tell them the reason he was born! Stamp out that fire right in front of them, have them repeat his slogan, and ask them if they are enjoying what the park in offering them and what Smokey is helping preserve for them, their future children, and for our country.
Thank you, Smokey the Bear!