U.S. Forest Service mascot used to raise awareness about wildfires
Fictional character
Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear in a poster based on the "Uncle Sam/Lord Kitchener Wants You" poster
First appearance
1944; 80 years ago (1944)
Created by
U.S. Forest Service, Advertising Council, National Association of State Foresters
Voiced by
Jackson Weaver (1947–1992) Dallas McKennon (1957) George Walsh (1960) Roger C. Carmel (1969–1986) Gene Moss (1992–2002) Jim Cummings (1993–2008) Frank Welker (briefly) Jack Angel (2002–2012) Sam Elliott (2008–2023) Stephen Colbert (2019) Brian Tyree Henry (2024–present)
Life
Spring 1950 Capitan, New Mexico (living mascot) November 11, 1976 Washington, District of Columbia
In-universe information
Species
American black bear
Gender
Male
Smokey Bear is an American campaign and advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service in the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history. The Ad Council, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), in partnership with creative agency FCB, employ Smokey Bear to educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires.[1][2][3][4]
A campaign began in 1944 featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". His slogan changed to "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" in 1947 and was associated with Smokey Bear for more than five decades.[5][6] In April 2001, the message was officially updated to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires"[6] in response to a massive outbreak of wildfires in natural areas other than forests (such as grasslands),[7][1] and to clarify that Smokey was promoting the prevention of unplanned outdoor fires, not prescribed burns.[5] Smokey has also had other lines throughout the years, but these have remained his central slogans. According to the Ad Council, 80% of outdoor recreationists correctly identified Smokey Bear's image and 8 in 10 recognized the campaign PSAs.[8]
Smokey Bear's name and image are protected by the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 U.S.C. 580 (p-2); previously also 18 U.S.C. 711).[9][10][11] Smokey's name has always intentionally been spelled differently from the adjective "smoky".
^ ab"About Wildfires". SmokeyBear.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
^Newswire, MultiVu – PR. "Creative features new digital-first videos and artwork in a continuation of the longest running PSA campaign in U.S. history". Multivu. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
^"Wildfire Prevention". Ad Council. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
^"Smokey Bear Celebrates 75th Birthday with Celebrity Friends in Innovative New Animated Emoji Campaign" (Press release). Ad Council. Retrieved August 7, 2019 – via PRNewsire.
^ abCite error: The named reference AboutTheCampaignq was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ab"Explore Smokey Bear's History (1940s)". SmokeyBear.com. Ad Council. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
^"Wildfire Prevention". AdCouncil. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
^"Wildfire Prevention". AdCouncil. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
^"Smokey Bear Act of 1952" (PDF). U.S. Public Law 82-359, 66 Stat. 92. Government Printing Office. May 23, 1952. p. 92.
^"History of Smokey Bear". U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
^"Conservation Education – Smokey Bear – USDA Forest Service". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
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