The effort is a joint effort of the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. A Smokey Bear outfit is available for use by Volunteer Fire Departments, schools or other entities for educational purposes. A new video that shows the importance of prescribed fire was distributed throughout the Forest Service. Although the U.S. has a higher fire death rate than Canada, Western Europe and the Pacific Rim, the majority of Americans are very confident about their fire safety. Older adults express the greatest confidence even though they have the greatest risk of fire death.
Many people have the attitude that A fire only happens to other people.
But until fire strikes their business, home and family, fire prevention is ignored. Fire prevention is a year round job. Fire suppression is a necessary and vitally important service. This includes smoke detectors, alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers. The use of flammable liquids on the farm and ranch are a part of normal daily activities.