page_title: Smokey Bear
section_title: Legacy
hierarchical_section_title: Smokey Bear / Legacy
context_page_description: Smokey Bear is a mascot of the United States Forest Service. He was made to teach people that forest fires are dangerous and how people can prevent them. An advertising campaign featuring Smokey was started in 1944 with the slogan, "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". Smokey Bear's later slogan, "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires", was made in 1947 by the Ad Council. In April 2001, the message was changed to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires". According to the Ad Council, Smokey Bear and his message are recognized by 95% of adults and 77% of children in the U.S.
  Smokey's correct name is Smokey Bear. In 1952, the songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins made a famous song named "Smokey the Bear". The pair said that "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm. This small change has made people curious ever since. Smokey's name is spelled differently from the word smoky on purpose.
  The fictional character Smokey Bear is run by three groups: the United States Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council. Smokey Bear's name and image are protected by U.S. federal law, the Smokey Bear Act of 1952.
context_section_description: In 2004, Smokey's 60th anniversary was celebrated. According to Richard Earle, author of The Art of Cause Marketing, the Smokey Bear campaign is recognized one of the most powerful and lasting of all public service advertising. "Smokey is simple, strong, straightforward," Earle writes. "He's a denizen of those woods you're visiting, and he cares about preserving them.  Anyone who grew up watching Bambi realizes how terrifying a forest fire can be.  But Smokey wouldn't run away.  Smokey's strong.  He'll stay and fight the fire if necessary, but he'd rather have you douse it and cover it up so he doesn't have to."
  In 2009, new commercials with Smokey made in CGI came out.
caption: Smokey Bear with members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls in 1950
exif: {}